New Bedford Police Arrest 12 Alleged “Johns”

New Bedford Police arrested 12 alleged "johns" following an undercover prostitution sting Thursday night.

Detective Captain Steven Vicente says the operation was set up in the North End by members of the Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau.

Vicente says that between 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. an undercover female police officer was used to solicit sexual acts for a fee leading to the arrest of the 12 men.

The suspects are identified as New Bedford residents 53-year-old Eric Hanserd, 42-year-old Camilo Rodriguez Morente, 48-year-old Antonio DaPonte, 31-year-old Juan Vasquez-Escobar, 49-year-old Abel Rego Pinhancos, 41-year-old Eduardo Alves, 41-year-old Carlos Gomes Rodrigues, and 24-year-old John Antunes.

The remaining suspects are 28-year-old Christian Joseph of Mansfield; 51-year-old Domingos Avelino of Dorchester; 39-year-old Robert Martin of East Providence, RI; and 23-year-old Marquis Gainey of Oklahoma City, OK.

All 12 suspects face charges of offering to engage in sex for a fee and were scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning in New Bedford District Court.