Police raid Cental Falls brothel (WPRI-RI)

Police raid Cental Falls brothel
Tips prove individual responsible

Updated: Thursday, 26 May 2011, 8:26 PM EDT

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WPRI) - On Monday, the Central Falls Police Department raided a brothel operating on the 1st floor of 34 Watson Street.

The Central Falls Special Investigations Unit received information proving an individual was utilizing females for sexual acts in exchange for money.

The individual distributed business cards with his phone number, similar to the one involved in the 435 Pine Street investigation from March 1st.

Collaborating with the Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an undercover police officer called the number and managed to positively identify the address. The caller on the line informed the undercover officer that he was open for business from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

With the surveillance teams in place, the undercover was met by a Hispanic male, whom police later identified as Steven Castillo, 27. Castillo confirmed that the undercover was there regarding "sex for money".

He was then escorted to the apartment's living room where a Hispanic woman, Patricia Gonzalez aka Norma Guzman-Hernandez, 32, was waiting on the couch.

Once the transaction took place, detectives and ICE agents were signaled to enter the apartment. All occupants were arrested and a search found numerous punch cards, a hole punch; $827 in cash, both unopened and used condoms; ledgers and other items pertinent to the investigation.

Castillo and Gonzalez were arraigned in 6th District Court on Thursday. Castillo of Central Falls is a Superior Court violator and is being held on that violation from a previous delivery charge, which he received a five year sentence. He was held with a $10,000 surety bail on the new charge of Pandering. He has a prearrangement conference scheduled for July 28th.

Gonzalez of Union City, New Jersey has an ICE detainer for illegal reentry under the name Hernandez. She was given a pretrial date of June 7th on the new charge or prostitution. Her bail was set at 5,000 with surety; however, she is being held on the ICE detainer.