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2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
SUBJECT: Duluth Police go Undercover in Problem Areas
BY: Public Information Officer Brad Wick
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Duluth Police go Undercover in Problem Areas
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 8/12/2009
INCIDENT TIME: 1500-2300
INCIDENT LOCATION: 100 Block of East First Street
Duluth Police go Undercover in Problem Areas
Investigators from the Duluth Police Department Violent Crimes Unit, Sex Crimes and Neglect Unit, Neighborhood Impact Team, and Canal Park Officers, along with investigators from the Lake Superior Drug and Gang Task Force, participated in a plainclothes detail on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Areas of focus included the 100 East 1st Street and the area around the Bedrock Bar and Curly’s Bar. Many of the arrestees were currently on probation or parole (repeat offenders). Arrests were made and are as follows:
Vera Jean Williams, age 52: Solicitation of prostitution (originated in the 100 block of East 1st Street).
Marlo Jane Benjamin, age 35: Solicitation of Prostitution (originated in the 100 block of East 1st Street)
Galiton Aliston McNeal, age 46: 5th degree sale of a controlled substance, violation of parole (originated in the 100 block of East 1st Street). Is on parole.
Elem NMN Smith, age 45: 5th degree sale of a controlled substance (originated in the 100 block of East 1st Street)
Lee David Roy, age 24: violation of parole (originated in the 100 block of East 1st Street). Is on parole.
Valerie Denette Johnson, age 42: solicitation of prostitution (originated near Curly’s Bar). Is on probation .
All of the individuals were lodged at the St. Louis County Jail.
Duluth Police Investigators plan on doing similar plain clothes details on a regular basis in problem areas around the city.