Over the past few weeks, the Lake Havasu City Police Department Special Investigations Unit and Street Crimes Unit have been conducting undercover operations related to human trafficking and prostitution in Lake Havasu City.   Advertisements on social media sites including Backpage.com and Craigslist were monitored.  As a result of the investigation, the following subjects have been arrested:

Alazie C. Keaton, a 19-year-old Las Vegas resident was arrested on November 15, 2017, and charged with misdemeanor prostitution, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.   Keaton was released on her own recognizance pending a future court date.

Antwoine B. Guyton, a 22-year-old California resident was arrested on November 15, 2017, and charged with pandering, receiving earnings of prostitution and possession of marijuana.   Guyton was held on a $5000 bond and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.  

David E. Gersch, a 58-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was arrested on November 29, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution.  Gersch posted a $5000 bond and was released pending a future court date.

John G. McNamara, a 55-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was arrested on November 29, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution.  McNamara was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.

John R. Kuerner, a 51-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was arrested on November 29, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution.  Kuerner posted a $5000 bond and was released pending a future court date.

Halbert H. Horsnett, a 59-year-old Canadian resident was arrested on November 29, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution.  Horsnett posted a $5000 bond and was released pending a future court date.

James Carney, a 70-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was arrested on November 30, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution.  Carney was cited and released. 

Jeffery L. Rutledge, a 28-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was arrested on November 29, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution.  Rutledge was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.

Harry Gock, a 54-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was arrested on November 30, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution. Gock posted a $5000 bond and was released pending a future court date. 

Paul A. Luepke, a 55-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was arrested on November 30, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution. Luepke was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.

Abel Atencio, a 68-year-old Bullhead City resident was arrested on November 30, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution.  Atencio posted a $5000 bond and was released pending a future court date. 

Victor M. Fuentes, a 49-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was arrested on November 30, 2017, and charged with soliciting prostitution. Fuentes posted a $5000 bond and was released pending a future court date. 

Danielle E. Betz, a 21-year-old Meadview, Arizona resident was arrested on November 29, 2017, and charged with misdemeanor prostitution.  Betz was cited and released.  

Tatiana J. Jackson, a 24-year-old Las Vegas resident was arrested on November 29, 2017, and charged with felony prostitution.  Jackson was held on a $10,000 bond and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.  

Beatriz B. Avalos, a 31-year-old Las Vegas resident was arrested on December 1, 2017, and charged with felony prostitution.  Avalos was held on a $7500 bond and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.  

Sex trafficking in the United States has become an epidemic over the past decade. Social media, internet based advertising websites, and other online chatrooms and forums are constantly being utilized to facilitate sex trafficking throughout the country.

The Lake Havasu City Police Department is enforcing prostitution related crimes to make it known that detectives are paying attention to the online advertisements, and anyone who chooses to utilize these advertisements for illegal activity is running a strong risk of being investigated.

The Lake Havasu City Police Department will continue to actively investigate prostitution related crimes, sex workers and other individuals involved in sex trafficking.  

Booking photos of Alazie C. Keaton, Antwoine B. Guyton, David E. Gersch, John G. McNamara, John R. Kuerner, Halbert H. Horsnett, Jeffery L. Rutledge, Harry Gock, Paul A. Luepke, Abel Atencio, Victor M. Fuentes, Danielle E. Betz, Tatiana J. Jackson and Beatriz B. Avalos.  No mug shot was available for James Carney.