Alleged Prostitutes Arrested in Lansdale Sting

Two women will be summoned by mail to face charges of prostitution in Lansdale Borough.

Also arrested was a York Avenue man convicted of first-degree murder in 1985.

Kristen Rachel Stephen, 29, of the 300 block of W. Main Street, Lansdale, and Janet Lee DeFrancesco, 34, of the 200 block of Danny Lane, Harleysville, were arrested in a prostitution sting conducted by Lansdale Police.

Stephen was found to have an active Montgomery County warrant from May 2012, police said. On June 13, 2011, Stephen was charged with depositing trash in the street, according to court records.

On June 13, DeFrancesco was released from custody without bail being set after District Judge Harold Borek ordered both to be summoned by mail, police said.

Stephen remained in custody and was taken to Montgomery County prison on the county warrant, police said

In late May 2012, Lansdale Police received information regarding a suspected prostitution ring operating out of an apartment on the 300 block of W. Main Street, Lansdale.

Police searched the Internet for escort advertisements in Lansdale and found seven advertisements using the name "Kelly Cruz," police said.

The ads featurd several pictures of a woman in lingerie and provided prospective customers with phone numbers to contact them, police said.

The investigating officer recognized the pictures in the ads to be Stephen, police said.

Stephen has had arrests and contacts with her before, police said.

A more recent advertisement listed both "Kelly" and "Lisa" as being available with a monetary donation suggested for an allotted time frame, police said.

"Lisa" was later identified as DeFrancesco, police said.

On June 12, surveillance was conducted on the apartment and officers allegedly observed Stephen direct an unknown male into the building, police said.

At 1:59 p.m. June 12, Lansdale Police and an undercover Pennsylvania State trooper contacted "Kelly" by phone, police said. An agreement was made to meet both women and an address on West Main Street was provided to the undercover trooper, police said.

Upon arrival at the address, the undercover trooper was provided with a second address a few doors away that Stephen soon emerged from, police said.

The trooper was led into an apartment and a call made by Stephen led to the arrival of DeFrancesco, police said.

Police said there was a discussion over money and services, and then money was exchanged. Both suspects were taken into custody.

Heroin, cocaine and marijuana; used hypodermic needles; copper wadding; pipes; burnt spoons and numerous wax baggies were found inside the apartment, police said. Ledgers and customer profile logs were also found, police said.

A third subject, Robert DeFrancesco, 53, of the 700 block of York Avenue, Lansdale, was also taken into custody. Police said there is no relation to Janet DeFrancesco.

Property belonging to Robert DeFrancesco was found in the apartment, including clothes and a cable bill in his name for the target address on West Main Street, police said.

DeFrancesco admitted to police that he sometimes stayed at the apartment and had an apartment key in his possession, police said.

DeFrancesco was charged June 13, 2012 with possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

A detainer was filed by Pennsylvania State Parole Board, police said. Borek ordered that Robert DeFrancesco be released without arraignment or set bail and be summoned by mail, police said. 

DeFrancesco remained in custody and was transported to the Montgomery County prison for violation of state parole, police said.

Robert DeFrancesco pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 1985 and was sentenced to 7 to 20 years in prison, according to court records.

Robert DeFrancesco was convicted for his role in the murder of Mark R. Sellers, 27, of 256 Oak Park Road in Hatfield Township on April 17, 1984.

In February 1985, Robert DeFrancesco had drug charges, including criminal attempt to manufacture, deliver or possess a controlled substance, quashed in Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

In October 1999, Robert DeFrancesco pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in county common pleas court, according to court records.