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Woman with Hepatitis C accused of prostitution

From staff reports

LOCK HAVEN – A local young woman was arrested yesterday by city police after allegedly accepting money for sex from an undercover officer.

Dezzarae Ann Cross, 19, of Clinton Street, was charged with criminal attempt/prostitution, possession of a controlled substance, and criminal attempt/recklessly endangering another person.

The endangering charge stems from the fact that Cross is Hepatitis C positive and offered the undercover agent 30 minutes of unprotected sexual intercourse, according to court documents.

She was arraigned before District Judge Joseph Sanders and was taken to the Clinton County Correctional Facility, where she remains in default of $75,000 bail.

During her arraignment via video from the prison, Cross told Sanders she previously met approximately 20 customers and made “thousands of dollars.”

She said she has had Hepatitis C for a year and that she knowingly had sex without condoms.

She said she is not taking medication for the disease, but has been “waiting to make an appointment in Danville.”

Hepatitis C is a a form of viral hepatitis transmitted in infected blood, causing chronic liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness that attacks the liver.

The disease is highly contagious. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk of transmission of Hepatitis C from sexual contact is believed to be low. The risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV, the CDC says. “More research is needed to better understand how and when Hepatitis C can be spread through sexual contact,” the federal agency adds.

When asked during arraignment if she is on drugs, Cross told Sanders “not at this time.” She said the last time she used heroin was two weeks ago and she had been using “four to five bags of heroin a day.”

She said she gets heroin from “people in Lock Haven and Williamsport.”

The arrest followed an investigation into advertisements on www.backpage.com.

Cross advertised under the “escort” section of the website on June 28, July 10, Aug. 6 and Aug. 17, police said.

Her ad stated, “I am open to everything you would like to try,” and included, “suggestive photos of herself in underwear” and a phone number, according to police.

Also during her arraignment, Sanders asked Cross if she had any money. Cross said “no.” Sanders then noted Cross had said she made thousands of dollars, to which Cross replied, “yeah … but not legally.”

According to the arrest affidavit:

“On Aug. 18, an undercover police officer text messaged Cross via the number in the advertisement, to which Cross responded, ‘200 half 300 hr.’ The officer told Cross he only had $300 and asked if she uses condoms, to which she replied, ‘Yeah N I can give u 40 mins.’ Cross stated she would meet the undercover cop at a local hotel.

“At approximately 3:27 p.m., the two met outside the hotel and went inside a room. Once in the hotel room, Cross said she would give the affiant “bare back” sex (without a condom) for 30 minutes for $300. Cross later explained to the affiant that this meant sexual intercourse without a condom. The affiant gave Cross $300 which she placed into her wallet. Cross then took off all of her clothing and got onto the bed.

“At this time Lock Haven Police Detective Kristin Sager entered the room and searched Cross’ belongings, recovered the $300 and two Hydrocodone pills, a Schedule III drug.”

Cross’ phone was collected as evidence, police said.

Police said she was then transported to Lock Haven Police Department for an interview and, after being advised of her rights, told the officer she has Hepatitis C and does not have a prescription for Hydrocodone.

However, Cross was not arraigned after her initial arrest.

Then, yesterday, police allege that they found that Cross had again posted on www.backpage.com on Wednesday, soliciting as an escort but using a different phone number.

Officers immediately took Cross into custody, apparently at her Clinton Street address, and took her to the county prison for arraignment. The investigation continues.

Police said this is Cross’ first offense for prostitution.

A records check shows Cross has no prior criminal history as an adult in Clinton, Centre or Lycoming counties.

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