SPRINGFIELD — Four men were arrested Wednesday during an undercover “Anti-John” operation targeting individuals seeking to sexually exploit minors, according to the Springfield Police Department.
The operation was conducted by members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit, Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit, Massachusetts State Police Hampden County Detective Unit and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department at a Springfield hotel.
Law enforcement officers posed online as juvenile escorts, with suspects allegedly offering money or items of value in exchange for sexual acts.
The operation ran from approximately 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., resulting in four arrests on charges related to underage prostitution.
Joseph Stephens, 44, of Holyoke, was charged with paying for sexual conduct with a child under 18, enticing a child under 16, and attempting to commit a crime (rape of a child).
Dany Mazariegos, 21, of Turners Falls, faces identical charges of paying for sexual conduct with a child under 18, enticing a child under 16, and attempting to commit a crime (rape of a child).
Yaroslav Dzyubenko, 32, of Agawam, was charged with paying for sexual conduct with a child under 18, enticing a child under 16, and attempting to commit a crime (rape of a child).
John Colburn, 31, of Agawam, was also charged with paying for sexual conduct with a child under 18, enticing a child under 16, and attempting to commit a crime (rape of a child).
