THROOP — A New York man faces drug-related and prostitution charges after he attempted to trade drugs for sex Saturday, police say.
David Hartman, 56, of Rochester, is charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and patronizing prostitutes.
According to the criminal complaint:
On Friday, Throop police officers conducted an investigation into a prostitution operation in the borough.
Officers used a confidential informant to create a post on a verified online account to a website commonly used to solicit sex in exchange for drugs or money.
At 11:40 p.m., a male, later identified as Hartman, texted an undercover officer saying he was getting off the Throop exit of the interstate and was five minutes away.
At 11:45, officers spotted a Ford pickup with New York registration pull into the parking lot of the meeting location.
Minutes later, officers saw Hartman get out of his pickup and knock on the door.
There, Hartman was met by undercover officers and arrested.
Earlier, Hartman had texted an undercover officer agreeing to exchange $200 and “powder cola” for sex.
After being read his Miranda warnings, Hartman told Officer Shawn Lahey he had intended to trade drugs and money for sex.
He told officers he had marijuana in the truck and agreed to a search of the vehicle.
Officers found $200 and a cylindrical container containing a white powdery substance identified as cocaine inside the pickup.
Hartman is also charged with criminal use of a cellphone and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 17 before District Judge Paul Keeler.
Hartman remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.