Four men arrested in sting for underage prostitution in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Four men were arrested on Wednesday following a Springfield Police “Anti-John” undercover operation at an area Springfield Hotel.

An “Anti-John” operation is done to deter prostitution and the related drug activity that is associated with it. The undercover prostitution operation was held due to neighborhood complaints and quality of life issues near an area Springfield Hotel. 

During the operation on Wednesday, law enforcement officers posed online as a juvenile escort so individuals would offer money or something of value in return for a sexual act(s) inside a designated hotel room.

From 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the following four "Johns" came to the hotel room and were subsequently placed under arrest for charges in connection with underage prostitution.

44-year-old Joseph Stephens of Holyoke is charged with:

• Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child under 18
• Entice a Child under 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Rape of a Child)

21-year-old Dany Mazariegos of Turners Falls is charged with:

• Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child under 18
• Entice a Child under 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Rape of a Child)

32-year-old Yaroslav Dzyubenko of Agawam is charged with:

• Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child under 18
• Entice a Child under 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Rape of a Child)

31-year-old John Colburn of Agawam is charged with:

• Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child under 18
• Entice a Child under 16
• Attempt to Commit a Crime (Rape of a Child)