According to a press release by Monroe County District Attorney's Office. On May 24, as part of their ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking in the Poconos, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Monroe County District Attorney's Office conducted an undercover sting operation in Stroudsburg Borough, Monroe County. The operation resulted in the arrest of Jessica Bauer and Eric Scelza, both of Stroudsburg.
Detective Kim Lippincott discovered that Bauer was prostituting out of a Stroudsburg hotel all throughout May of 2022. After fleeing a drug rehab, Bauer was wanted and on the run. Allegedly, she was known by detectives to be a crack cocaine addict. An undercover officer responded to her online advertisement for prostitution, and Bauer instructed the officer to meet her at the hotel in Stroudsburg.
Upon the undercover officer's arrival at the hotel, Bauer asked him to wait. Eric Scelza soon exited the room, then both Bauer and Scelza were arrested. After being advised of her Miranda rights, Bauer stated that she had just finished sex with SCELZA for $100. According to Bauer, Scelza was a regular customer.
A search of Bauer's hotel room revealed methamphetamine and multiple items of drug paraphernalia in her hotel room. Bauer was held for an unrelated matter at the Monroe County Correctional Facility, and Scelza was released from custody. Both Bauer and Selza were fingerprinted and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
The Stroudsburg Herald reached out to Eric Scelza, the owner of Happy Owner Bar & Grill. He was also a former councilman for Stroudsburg. We have yet to hear back yet.
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