Former Webster Police Chief Gerald Pickering is among six individuals arrested during a prostitution suppression detail conducted by the Rochester Police Department. According to WROC, the operation took place along the Lyell Avenue corridor in Rochester, New York.
Pickering, 68, faces a charge of third-degree patronizing a person for prostitution, a misdemeanor offense. Following his arrest, the former chief, who led the Webster Police Department for 14 years until his retirement in 2015, issued a formal public apology.
“As a retired law enforcement officer, I certainly am aware of the law as well the negative impacts of this incident,” Pickering stated on Friday. “I am incredibly sorry for the pain, embarrassment, and shame this arrest has caused my family, friends and the community at large.” Pickering indicated that he intends to address the legal matter “earnestly and honestly” and will not provide further public comment on the ongoing case.
The Rochester Police Department identified the five other individuals arrested during the same operation as Stephen Aldrich, 56; Michael Winston, 62; Ty’Mir Puryear, 25; Alexander Fico, 40; and Omid Daryoush, 23. All six suspects are facing similar charges stemming from the police detail.