Three charged in prostitution raid
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@stmedianetwork.com March 19, 2013 5:48PM
Article Extras
Updated: April 21, 2013 6:41AM
WAUKEGAN — Police arrested a man, his wife and a younger woman for allegedly running a house of prostitution on George Avenue.
Ramon Martinez-Marin, 50, of 671 Lenox Ave., was the target of the warrant served by the Waukegan Police Gang Intelligence Unit on March 18 for being the head of the prostitution ring. He was charged with keeping a place of prostitution, promoting prostitution, pimping within a 1,000 feet of a school, pandering within 1,000 feet of a school and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
He was being held on $50,000 bond and he has a previous misdemeanor conviction for keeping a house of prostitution.
Arrested with him at the house at 530 George Ave., was Isamar Figueroa-Rosario, 22, who was charged with prostitution within 1,000 feet of a school. She was being held on $25,000 bond.
Police then went to his Lenox Avenue home and arrested his wife, Libia Burbano-Zapata, 45, for being in possession of a fictitious identification card. She was being held on $50,0000 bond. Police also found cocaine and Martinez-Marin said it was his cocaine.
Police said the investigation found that it appeared Martinez-Marin rented the home on George Street for prostitution, but stayed at the Lenox address with the others. All three suspects gave voluntary statements as to their involvement, police said.
Waukegan Police Chief Daniel Greathouse said authorities were made aware of the problem through Crime Stoppers and concerned citizens who grew suspicious about the unusual amount of traffic at the South Side home.
“I am glad we were able to close down this prostitution ring,” he said. “I was concerned that there could have been a risk of human trafficking, but relieved that as of this time we are unaware of” that crime happening.
He said citizens can pass along confidential information to the police hot line at (847) 856-6444.
“Residents can call this number and leave information about suspected drug houses, drug dealers, gang and weapons information or any other criminal activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. Callers will not be contacted unless they specifically asked to be called.
