Pocono News Section

Newport Township Cop Waives Prostitution Charge

Newport Township Cop Waives Prostitution Charge - Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 7:17PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 @07:17pm EST
(WILKES-BARRE/NEWPORT TOWNSHIP, Luzerne County)

A Luzerne County Police Chief talks about his former officer, who's accused of working as a male prostitute.

40-year-old Levi Gibbon dodged his day in court, but through an attorney waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Investigators filed a single prostitution charge against the Wilkes-Barre man, last month. Now his case is headed to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.

Suspended Newport Township Police Officer Levi Gibbon Junior dodged his day in Central Court ,but WBRE News caught up with him right after; leaving his East North Street home.

Gibbon’s Attorney is Shelley Centini, "Although my client did chose to waive the hearing, he does maintain his innocence, his next court date is scheduled for November 16th."

Gibbon is charged with a single count of prostitution. In addition to his role as a cop, Pennsylvania State Police say Gibbon worked as a male escort. Court papers reveal he agreed to perform a sex act on an undercover trooper for $200.00.

Authorities say their prostitution sting went down at this Wilkes-Barre motel last month. Tim Doherty is a Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney, "The undercover trooper who was in the room at the time, testimony will be taken from him. I can say from experience, when you have that evidence it's good and effective in court."

Out of court, back in Newport Township, Police Chief Robert Impaglia says Gibbon is doing better, given the circumstances.

Reporter Jill Konopka asks, "Did he admit his involvement to you? Chief Impaglia responded, ‘Yeah.

Jill Konopka asked, ‘What did he say? Chief responded, ‘Basically, he said got caught up and things weren't going right and he made a mistake hopefully pay for the crime and get over it eventually."

Chief Impaglia says he's checked on his officer a few times, although it’s not likely he’ll be returning to the force.

Chief Impaglia added, "Just to see how he was doing and what was going on and waiting for his letter of resignation." Chief impaglia says Levi Gibbon Junior is not being forced out. Rather, he says Gibbon made the decision to step down on his own.

Gibbon's formal arraignment in Luzerne County Court will be November 16th, 2007 at 9:30 am.