The Alternative Press

PATERSON, NJ – The Passaic County Sheriff’s Office arrested 12 suspected prostitutes and five alleged johns during a two-day quality of life operation in the 5^th and 6^th Wards over the weekend.

The effort focused on several streets where prostitutes openly solicit customers, including Market, Ellison and Van Houten. The detail was prompted by complaints area residents.

"It is essential that crimes that help maintain residents’ quality of life are enforced," said Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. "Prostitution leads to other more serious criminal activity such as drugs and eventually street violence."

Arrested on solicitation charges on Friday and Saturday were 10 women and two men posing as women. They were:

• Clarissa Zenquis, 23, of Paterson. She was arrested on Market Street and also was found to have active Passaic City Municipal Court Warrant
• Gregory Bates, aka “Precious,” 32,  of Hackensack,  arrested on Market Street 
• Daniel Chica, 31, of Garfield, arrested on Market Street 
• Cindy Cody, 44, of Paterson, arrested on Ellison Street 
• Katherine Dembowski, 31, of Paterson, arrested on Van Houten Street
• Denise Schilaci, 41, of Elmwood Park, arrested on 16^th Avenue 
• Kendra Gurzynski, 41, of Paterson, arrested on Ellison Street 
• Vanessa Marsh, 40, of Paterson, arrested on Van Houten Street. She also had an active Paterson City Municipal Court Warrant.
• Natacha Maillot, 47, of Fort Lee, arrested on Ellison Street. She also had an active Paterson City Municipal Court Warrant
• Danisha Philpot, 34, of Paterson, arrested on Van Houten Street. She also found to have active Denville Municipal Court Warrant.
• Alejandra Rivera-Salgado, 34, of Paterson, arrested on VanHouten Street. She also had an active Paterson City Municipal Court Warrant
• Nicole Johnson, 43, of Paterson, arrested on Market Street

After sheriff’s officers arrested alleged prostitutes, female undercover officers targeted their potential customers and made five other arrests:

• Jacob Monterrozo, 47, of Bridgport, Ct., arrested on Market Street 
• Jose Trujillo, 47, of Bridgeport Ct, arrested on Market Street 
• George Salame, 54, of Lodi, arrested on Market Street 
• Andrew O’Brien, 26, of Oakland, arrested on Market Street 
• Ramon Roman, 57, of Paterson, arrested on Market Street

After processing, those who had outstanding warrants were turned over to the agency in question, while the others were released pending appearance in Paterson Municipal Court.