Prostitution operation by Springdale Police produces 15 arrests

The Springdale Police Department arrested 15 people over the weekend alleged to be involved in a prostitution operation.

Kevin Cornett, Springdale’s chief of police, said the purpose of the two-day operation Friday and Saturday was to reduce the criminal activity that’s associated with prostitution. According to Cornett, that includes drug possession, armed robbery, assault and human trafficking. Cornett said the arrests of three women and 12 men should combat that activity and warned of the dangers of the crimes associated with prostitution.

“Prostitution brings bad things that we don’t want in Springdale,” the cheif said Monday.

According to Cornett, the Springdale Police Department set up the operation by placing ads on a website commonly used for advertising and soliciting prostitution. In addition to the prostitution arrests, Cornett said the operation resulted in drug charges (possession of marijuana, methamphetamine and crack among other substances) and the capture of three fugitives – two from Georgia and the other from Aiken County. He said all 15 were booked at the Lexington County Detention Center.

Cornett said Frances Hintz, 46, and Christina Pheonix, 21, were charged with prostitution while Michelle Hyden, 46, was charged with aiding in prostitution and drug possession. Cornett also said that Ulfat Fnu, Kwon Garland, Quan Gaston, Heyward Hutto, Shaquin Legette, Johnny McCoy, Oscar Sanchez, Jose Peralta, Alex Tisby Jr., Roderick Woods and Russell Yon were all charged with solicitation of prostitution.

The arrests were made at 2200 Airport Boulevard in Springdale.

According to Cornett, the Springdale Police Department is continuing to investigate following the operation and further arrests could be made.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Prostitution operation by Springdale Police produces 15 arrests."