Prostitutes Kirkwood
Kirkwood, Missouri has faced persistent issues with prostitution and related crimes over the years. Law enforcement agencies have conducted numerous operations targeting these activities. Several significant arrests and convictions highlight the problem: * Trafficking & Exploitation: Bradley Cook (aka “PutHer2GoodUse”) of Kirkwood pleaded guilty in 2011 to federal charges of commercial sex trafficking by force. Richard Joseph Schwartz Ives, also of Kirkwood, pleaded guilty to patronizing prostitution from a child under 14. Christopher Kirkwood (posing as “Sheryl Davies”) attempted to recruit a 16-year-old girl into prostitution in 2014. An 18-year-old man and his mother were accused of sex trafficking. * Promoting Prostitution: Jeremy Munson was charged in 2013 with third-degree promoting prostitution. A former Webster Groves teacher received five years probation in 2018 for promoting prostitution. Tyler Sparks faced charges related to prostitution promotion. * Solicitation & Patronizing: Multiple undercover sting operations resulted in arrests. For example, 8 men and 10 women were arrested in one Lancaster operation, and 8 men and 1 woman in another. Allen Bates was charged with solicitation in Kirkwood, PA. Individuals like Richard Ives were convicted of patronizing minors. * Massage Parlor Busts: Yingi Piao was arrested in 2013 after offering sex acts to undercover officers at a Kirkwood Highway spa. Two women from Flushing, NY, were arrested on prostitution charges at a massage parlor on Kirkwood Highway near Newark in 2014. Two employees of a Des Peres massage business were charged with miscellaneous sex violations related to prostitution in 2012.
Neighborhood Impact and Responses
These activities have impacted Kirkwood neighborhoods. Residents have reported prostitution and associated issues like drug deals, particularly noting shifts in areas like Vanier and concerns about gas thefts. Neighborhood groups, like the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization, work to address safety and quality of life.
Legal Complexities and Challenges
The cases reveal complex dynamics. Some individuals deny involvement when arrested, like Dorothy Kirkwood who testified she was simply walking. Research cited in the snippets explores the spectrum between agency and exploitation in sex work, the stigma faced by victims (often viewed as “prostitutes” rather than exploited persons), and the traditional societal views that contribute to this stigma. Law enforcement faces ongoing challenges. Prostitution operations sometimes move locations (e.g., further west to Bissonnet and Wilcrest), and undercover work remains a primary tactic. Debates exist about legal approaches, with some prosecutors offering misdemeanor pleas in escort cases deemed “inappropriate” for felony charges. Prostitution and patronizing are misdemeanors in Missouri, but promoting prostitution or trafficking are felonies. The persistence of these issues in Kirkwood reflects broader societal challenges surrounding sex work, exploitation, trafficking, and community safety.
*TAGS* – commercial sex trafficking by force, massage parlor prostitution arrests, neighborhood safety concerns
