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Sex sting nets dad toting toddler

Trenton man charged with soliciting undercover officer and child endangering.

John Mann

ENLARGE PHOTO

Michael Ratliff

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Kevin Aldridge, Staff Writer Updated 1:24 AM Wednesday, July 28, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — Police made two arrests Tuesday, July 27, in an undercover prostitution sting in downtown Middletown, including a Trenton man who tried to solicit an undercover officer with his 18-month-old daughter in tow.

Michael Ratliff, 38, of Trenton, was charged with soliciting and child endangering for having his 18-month-old daughter with him while trying to pick up an undercover officer and complete the transaction in a nearby alley. After his arrest, officers stood by with the child until the mother arrived from Trenton, according to a news release from the Middletown Division of Police.

John Mann, 65, of Plymouth Avenue in Middletown, also was arrested and charged with soliciting.

Middletown police have arrested 29 people for prostitution activity in the downtown area in recent weeks. Last week, police arrested Keith Moore, 50, of South Lebanon and Bennie Noble, 46, of Franklin. Both were charged with loitering to engage in solicitation, and Lisa Conley, 43, of Middletown, was charged with soliciting.

“The biggest number of johns we’re seeing come from out of town,” Middletown police Sgt. Jim Cunningham said, adding the number of johns overall has decreased since the stings began a month ago. “The past two weeks we have not been seeing any prostitutes out during the day on Central Avenue.”

Cunningham said police are encouraging businesses and motorists to call police if they see a violation taking place. Police will continue to conduct covert and overt prostitution operations in the downtown area, he said.

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