SPRINGFIELD — Four men were arrested on Wednesday, April 30, during an undercover “Anti-John” operation at a Springfield hotel targeting those attempting to engage in sexual conduct with minors, according to a statement from the Springfield Police Department.
The operation was conducted by members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU), the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit, the Massachusetts State Police Hampden County Detective Unit, and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. Officers posed online as underage escorts and arranged meetings with individuals who responded to the ads with offers of money or items of value in exchange for sex.
Between 1:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., four men, i.e. “Johns,” arrived at the designated hotel room and were arrested on charges related to the attempted commercial sexual exploitation of children.
The individuals arrested were identified as:
- Joseph Stephens, 44, of Holyoke
- Dany Mazariegos, 21, of Turners Falls
- Yaroslav Dzyubenko, 32, of Agawam
- John Colburn, 31, of Agawam
Each man is charged with paying for sexual conduct with a child under 18, enticing a child under 16, and attempting to commit rape of a child.
