If $45 for sex with a Texas hooker seems like a deal that's too good to be true, that's because it probably is -- she could turn out to be a cop.
Just ask Phoenix police officer Sheldon Czegledi, who got popped in El Paso last week for trying to cash in on the aforementioned (gulp) bargain.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office last week launched a four-day "prostitution sting operation" in the central part of the city. The result: 15 arrests, including Czegledi, who on Friday allegedly left a $5 deposit for sex with a woman he believed to be a Texas hooker.
The "hooker," as is often the case, turned out to be an undercover female cop.
Phoenix Sergeant Steve Martos tells New Times Czegledi is a patrol officer in the Central City Precinct. He's been on the force for 14 years.
On Friday, Czegledi was in front of an El Paso hotel where he approached a woman he believed to be a hooker.
As Czegledi and the faux-hooker chatted in the parking lot of the hotel, they reached an agreement: $45 for sexual intercourse.
Czegledi, court records show, then left a $5 deposit with the woman, telling her he would return to collect on the sex.
Czegledi never received his $45 worth of sex, though -- instead, he was arrested. He was booked on suspicion of soliciting prostitution.
Martos says Czegledi remains on active duty as the Phoenix Police Department conducts an administrative investigation. He's been moved into a "non-enforcement position," rather than being placed on paid administrative leave.
Keeping Czegledi on duty, Phoenix Sergeant Tommy Thompson adds, will allow the PPD to "utilize him for the pay he's making."
In other words, if he were placed on paid leave, the PPD would have to pay this guy anyway -- so they might as well bore him to tears with a little desk duty as the investigation is carried out.
It's unclear whether Czegledi got back his $5 deposit -- although, our guess is the answer's no.
