Prostitution Sting Nets 11 Arrests on Valentine's Day

Cupid's arrow struck on Valentine's Day this year in the form of a prostitution sting that landed 11 men in cuffs.

The arrests on Feb. 14 were a result of "Operation Cupid," a criminal investigation by the Windsor Locks Police Department into prostitution along the Route 75 commercial corridor.

Here's the way the sting went down, as described by the Windsor Locks Police Department:

• Police placed an ad on a popular Internet site used by those who wish to purchase sex for money. 
• An undercover officer posing as a prostitute responded to numerous inquiries and requests for sexual services from ‘clients.’ 
• The undercover officer and client(s) would meet at an area motel where the suspect would then be arrested by a team of back-up officers. 

Police said "Operation Cupid" is an ongoing investigation, and that the motel name associated with the alleged criminal activity will not be released at this time.

"The Windsor Locks Police Department has received numerous complaints of prostitution occurring in area motels along the Route-75 commercial business district," a press release states. "This has caused an increased number of larcenies, illegal drug use, child exploitation, disorderly conduct, as well as other related crimes and quality of life conditions."    

According to police, the men arrested on a charge of soliciting prostitution are:

• Jesse Coughlin, 33, of Chester, Mass. 
• Eric Oullette, 42, of Glastonbury, Conn.
• Brandon Blank, 28, of Bridgeport, Conn.
• John Norris, 53, of Enfield, Conn.
• Eslam Ayoub, 41, of Middletown, Conn. (he was also charged with fourth-degree sexual assault)
• Wagner Brown, 34, of Waterbury, Conn.
• John Cook, 56, of South Windsor, Conn.
• Ravindra Wikramanaya, 54, of Chicopee, Mass.
• Bryan Deway, 46, of Windsor Locks, Conn. 
  James Castelvetere, 59, of Enfield, Conn.
• John Wadlegger, 42, of Agawam, Mass.