Hamburg Area High School guidance counselor Jonathan Petrole, 27, of Tresckow, allegedly is among 17 alleged johns and prostitutes facing prostitution related charges as a result of a Prostitution Sting Operation conducted on Nov. 17 in Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County.
Hamburg Area School District Superintendent Dr. Richard Mextorf told The Hamburg Area Item on Nov. 30 that he was made aware of a newspaper article alleging Petrole’s arrest and that he faces prostitution related charges.
“I’m aware of the newspaper article and became aware of the situation and working through the process,” said Mextorf. “It came to a conclusion today with his resignation.”
Mextorf said he accepted Petrole’s letter of resignation on Nov. 30.
The Standard Speaker of Hazleton reported in a Nov. 18 online article that Sugarloaf Township Police and other law enforcement took 17 alleged johns and prostitutes into custody on Nov. 17.
According to the online article at standardspeaker.com, charges are pending after officers apprehended 17 people during a sting, making arrests in various locations throughout southern Luzerne County and seizing evidence such as cash and cellphones. Those taken into custody will face prostitution or patronizing prostitute charges, according to the Standard Speaker article. Petrole’s name was listed among those taken into custody.
Sugarloaf Township Police Department posted a release on their Facebook page on Nov. 18 that a Prostitution Sting Operation was conducted on Nov. 17 in Sugarloaf Township.
According to the release, the Sugarloaf Township Police Department were assisted by Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Hazleton Police, Butler Township Police and Weatherly Police. The following individuals were arrested and face prostitution related charges: Nicholas Mitcho, 21, of Beaver Meadows; Michael Angelo, 49, of Tamaqua; Sheena Doddridge, 31, of Wilkes Barre; Heather Keith, 29, of Scranton; Amanda Mabus, 27, of Hazleton; Bruce Kaczmarczyk, 58, of West Hazleton; Jonathan Petrole, 27, of Tresckow; Robert Webster II, 40, of Selinsgrove; Leacroft Powell, 37, of Berwick; Jarret Malkin, 38, of Freeland; Stephanie Daniels, 36, of Wilkes Barre; Gabriel Wakk, 34, of Mcadoo and Cassandra Hoats, 20, of Tresckow. Four other individuals face charges but their names are being omitted due to further investigations.
