Probation given in prostitution cases

May 30, 1997

By MARLO BARNHART

Staff Writer

Four men who were caught in a prostitution sting last March in Hagerstown were granted probation before judgment by Washington County District Judge R. Noel Spence after pleading guilty to one count each of solicitation on Thursday.

- George Courtland Renner, 76, of 14132 Greencastle Pike, admitted he approached plainclothes Frederick (Md.) City Police Officer Christine Saul on March 21 on Church Street and asked her to perform a sex act.

Renner was placed on probation for one year, fined $100 and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service.

- William Bernard Clark, 26, of 474-4 Mountain Road, Fort Ritchie, admitted he approached Saul on Walnut Street at 12:10 a.m. on March 22 and asked for oral sex. He offered $10.

Clark told Spence he is in the military and will receive additional penalties for the offense.

Spence placed Clark on probation for one year, fined him $100 and ordered 40 hours of community service.

- Timothy Todd Lewis, 50, of 681 Westwood Drive, admitted he approached Saul and asked for oral sex, offering $15.

Lewis was unable to talk when it was his turn to speak.

"I'm sure it's been uncomfortable at home,'' Spence said.

Lewis also was placed on probation for one year, fined $100 and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service.

- Ronnie Pearson Edney, 56, of 8202 Streamside Place in Gaithersburg, admitted he drove up to Saul on Walnut Street March 21 and asked her "for a romp in the sack."

He first told the officer he had eight cents but then offered $20 and was arrested.

He was placed on probation for one year and fined $300.

"I'm single and I go out honky-tonking once in a while," Edney said.

Several other defendants in that March 21-22 sting asked for jury trials to have their cases moved to the Washington County Circuit Court.

No dates have been set for those cases.

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