Leonard Long Convicted of Patronizing Prostitutes

On June 25, 2024, Leonard Long, age 39, pleaded guilty before Magisterial District Judge Paul T. Zozos to patronizing a prostitute and was ordered to pay a mandatory fine of $2,500. Long arranged for a paid sexual encounter with an undercover officer in January 2024. He was apprehended during Operation Ginger Snap, a law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking demand. The Dauphin County Human Trafficking Task Force and Harrisburg Bureau of Police investigated and prosecuted the case.

Eric Shell Convicted of Patronizing Prostitutes

On May 30, 2024, Eric Shell, age 48, pleaded guilty before Magisterial District Judge Marian Urrutia to patronizing a prostitute and was ordered to pay a mandatory fine of $2,500. Shell arranged for a paid sexual encounter with an undercover officer in March 2024. He was apprehended during Operation March Badness, a law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking demand. The Dauphin County Human Trafficking Task Force and Susquehanna Township Police Department investigated and prosecuted the case.

Joseph Gatz Convicted of Patronizing Prostitutes

On April 18, 2024, Joseph Gatz , age 36, pleaded guilty before Magisterial District Judge Marian Urrutia to patronizing a prostitute and was ordered to pay a mandatory fine of $2,500. Gatz arranged for a paid sexual encounter with an undercover officer in March 2024. He was apprehended during Operation March Badness, a law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking demand. The Dauphin County Human Trafficking Task Force and Susquehanna Township Police Department investigated and prosecuted the case.

Derek Jones Convicted of Patronizing Prostitutes

On April 18, 2024, Derek Jones, age 48, pleaded guilty before Magisterial District Judge Marian Urrutia to patronizing a prostitute and was ordered to pay a mandatory fine of $2,500. Jones arranged for a paid sexual encounter with an undercover officer in March 2024. He was apprehended during Operation March Badness, a law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking demand. The Dauphin County Human Trafficking Task Force and Susquehanna Township Police Department investigated and prosecuted the case.

Nicholas Chortanoff Convicted of Patronizing Prostitutes

On April 18, 2024, Nicholas Chortanoff, age 45, pleaded guilty before Magisterial District Judge Marian Urrutia to patronizing a prostitute in front of. Gatz arranged for a paid sexual encounter with an undercover officer in March 2024. He was apprehended during Operation March Badness, a law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking demand. The Dauphin County Human Trafficking Task Force and Susquehanna Township Police Department investigated and prosecuted the case.

***Most “prostitutes” have a history of being trafficked or are being trafficked at the time of the prostitution act. Their traffickers subject them to force, fraud, or coercion, and utilize power and control to retain the money paid for the sexual acts. It is a felony of the first degree to patronize a victim of sexual servitude. ***

If you or someone you know needs human trafficking services or assistance, please contact 717-780-7086 to speak to the Dauphin County Human Trafficking Advocate.

To report human trafficking, contact 911, your local police department, or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Dauphin County reports will be referred to the Dauphin County Human Trafficking Task Force.