Seven women were charged with prostitution following an undercover operation in Hoover.
The women were found at an undisclosed location, arrested and taken to Hoover City Jail. One woman was in possession of crystal methamphetamine.
“The often called ‘victimless crime’ of prostitution can devastate the lives of those who do fall victim to the increase in crimes in the community,” said Lt. Norman McDuffey. “Even the prostitute can certainly become a victim of the illegal sex trafficking trade. They are almost always addicted to illegal drugs and feel trapped into the life of prostitution to feed their habit. They are often the objects of exploitation by their pimps and become victim of violent crimes such as rape, robbery and even murder.”
Hoover police is working to identify the areas frequented by prostitutes. Hotels are a preferred location, police said, and they will continue to focus on those areas.
The women who were arrested include:
- 19-year-old Kiera Najeah Baker of Birmingham
- 21-year-old Erika Faye Chalmers of Pinson
- 26-year-old Shabreeka Tanae Dobbins of Gadsden
- 28-year-old Ashley Amber Rose Donahue of Indianapolis
- 27-year-old Taylor Dane Fisher of Hoover
- 55-year-old Geralyn Ann Gossett of Atlanta
- 34-year-old Christina Pearl Speight of Birmingham
Gossett was charged with prostitution and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and bond was set at $6,000. Bond for the other six women was set at $1,000.
“Communities, families and the prostitutes themselves are negatively impacted when illegal sex trafficking flourishes,” McDuffey said. “Communities often see increases in other crimes that follow along with prostitution such as drug activity, rape, robbery, burglary, theft, assault and even homicide.”
