JP Man Charged with Forcing Teen Runaway to Act as Prostitute

By Marc Fortier

Two Massachusetts men were arrested on Monday night at a Salem, New Hampshire hotel on weapons and endangering child welfare charges.

According to the Union Leader, the two men forced a 15-year-old girl to act as a prostitute. The girl had reportedly run away from the Boston area in November.

Asked for further details, Salem Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten said he is unable to comment.

Andy Radames Pena, 19, of Jamaica Plain, was charged with witness tampering; endangering child welfare, solicit for sex; reckless conduct with a deadly weapon; and interfering with custody.

Steven Garcia, 28, of Roxbury, was charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon.

Pena was transported to Rockingham County Jail, while Garcia was released on $10,000 personal recognizance bail.

A juvenile was also arrested, but neither the age nor the charge were given in the Salem Police Department's arrest log.

All three were taken into custody around 8:30 p.m. at La Quinta on Keewaydin Drive. According to the police log, Salem Police were assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials out of Boston, who had advised them that the individuals might be in town.