NORTHAMPTON – All 10 men arrested in a March sex-for-money sting operation in Northampton have now pleaded guilty or admitted to sufficient facts with the final admittance from a New York man Wednesday.
Kai Xin, 47, of Wyantskill, New York, admitted in Northampton District Court that there were sufficient facts to the charge of sexual conduct for a fee that had been brought against him. The charge was continued without a finding until November which means the charges will be dismissed if he complies with conditions imposed.
Xin also was ordered to pay a $500 fine and a $150 fine in lieu of community service.
He was one of 10 men who were arrested in March as part of a joint sting operation between the state Attorney General’s office and the Northampton Police Department. The sting was one of four across the state and part of a national initiative aimed at reducing demand for commercial sex and raising awareness about the exploitation of victims in human trafficking, which has been one of the priorities for state Attorney General Maura Healey.
The operation used an online advertisement showcasing “partially clothed females.” The men would contact them and they would meet discreetly at a hotel. Once the men asked for sex and offer cash, the police moved in and made arrests.
Paul J. Peckham, 33, of Amherst; Todd S. Zabawa, 46, of Hadley; Skye Maisonette, 28, of Amherst; Alan N. Sabino, 57, of Rutland, Vermont; and Everett M. Cuffee, 19, of Florence, and Pablo A. Revelo, 43, of Florence; all earlier admitted sufficient facts to the charge of sexual conduct for a fee.
In addition, John Vurovecz, 58, of Blandford, Michael Joseph Morassi, 45, of Granby, and John M. Rybacki, 30, of Lee earlier pleaded guilty to sexual conduct for a fee.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.