8 people arrested after drug, prostitution investigation
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– Eight people have been arrested Thursday after a drug and prostitution investigation, says Lexington County deputies.
Eight people have been arrested Thursday after a drug and prostitution investigation, says Lexington County deputies. (Photo: Lexington Co. Sheriff’s Dept.)
Investigators say details from a separate case led investigators to locations on Edmund Highway and North Parsons Street.
“The operation started Thursday morning when investigators searched multiple houses where prostitution was suspected,” says Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.
Sheriff Koon says a man at the houses would collect money from people responding to have sex with the women, and the women would receive a share at end of the week.
Deputies seized two guns and more than $111,000 in cash as part of the operation, according to Sheriff Koon.
The following individuals were arrested and charged, according to arrest warrants:
Yoselyn Maybeli Colomo-Rodriguez, 33, has been charged with prostitution.
Esmerelda Roblero Arreage, 32, has been charged with prostitution.
Maria Jovita Ruiz-Peria, 26, has been charged with prostitution.
Aurora Garcia-Mena, 27, has been charged with prostitution.
Fernando Benitez-Perez, 38, has been charged with prostitution and criminal conspiracy.
Romeo Jijon Altamirano, 47, has been charged with prostitution and criminal conspiracy.
Cristian Fidel Gonzalez-Jijon, 22, has been charged with prostitution and criminal conspiracy.
Cirenia Jijon Altamirano, 44, has been charged with prostitution, criminal conspiracy and harboring an unauthorized alien.
“Without strong relationships between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, operations like this would not be possible,” Koon says. “These arrests are the result of us all working together to make our community safer.”
Arreage has been released after meeting the conditions of her bond, and the other suspects are being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.
