August 28, 2023

MEDIA RELEASE:

Last week, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Washington County Health Department, the Washington County Department of Social Services Child Advocacy Center, and the Meritus Forensic Nursing Program, to conduct an operation that sought out human trafficking offenders. The operation was divided into two focus areas.  The first focused on internet-based chats, targeting adults who seek out children for sex.  The second focused on internet-based advertisements for adult sex workers.

The underage chat operations group utilized various social media platforms via covert chats and undercover law enforcement officers to chat with and meet up with those adults who solicit sex from children.  Multiple internet-based contacts and in-person meet-ups were made or attempted throughout the operation.  Ultimately, two adults were arrested and charged with Solicitation of a Minor.  Those arrested were:

 

1. Raquan Tyreek Martin, 23, of Hagerstown, Maryland
2. Peter John Eleftheriou, 41, of Perry Hall, Maryland

 

The prostitution operations group utilized various applications known to law enforcement to organize and facilitate the use of prostitution.  This team attempted to set up meetings to identify and charge those who exploited the prostitutes.  Those prostitutes who were contacted were cooperative, and had no other underlying offenses were turned over to the care of the Washington County Health Department, Meritus Forensic Nursing Program, and Department of Social Services Human Trafficking Regional Navigator, for diversion, STD testing, and other community-based resources. Those found to be exploiting the prostitutes were arrested and charged accordingly.  Ultimately, two adults were arrested. Those arrested and their charges are as follows:

 

1. Dadeja Lynn Fuller, 29, of Hagerstown, Maryland. Fuller had active warrants and had suspected cocaine.
2. Richard Glenwood Frazier,46, of Greencastle, PA. Frazier was arrested and charged with sex trafficking.

 

We would like to thank the following people and organizations for their unwavering support of our mission to protect the citizens of Washington County:

 

Victoria Sterling and Andrea Barton of the Washington County Health Department,

 

Rachel Mazloum and Natalie Reed of the Washington County Department of Social Services, Child Advocacy Center,

 

Jennifer McNew and the Staff of the Meritus Forensic Nursing Program, and

 

Kevin Lewis and Andrew Wood of the Washington County Division of Emergency Services.

 

Washington County would be much less safe without your dedication to helping the vulnerable members of our community.

 

All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.