Former Stroudsburg Councilman & Happy Hour Bar and Grill Owner Eric Scelza Arrested After Undercover Prostitution Sting

Two Stroudsburg Residents Arrested After Undercover Prostitution Sting.

On May 24, 2022 detectives from the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, Criminal Investigations Division conducted an undercover prostitution sting in Stroudsburg Borough, Monroe County. As a result of the sting, Jessica BAUER and Eric SCELZA, both of Stroudsburg, were arrested.

Detective Kim Lippincott learned that BAUER was prostituting out of a hotel in Stroudsburg throughout May of 2022. BAUER was on the run after fleeing from a drug rehab and had an outstanding warrant. BAUER was known to detectives to be a crack cocaine user. An undercover officer responded to her advertisement online for prostitution and BAUER instructed the officer to come to the hotel in Stroudsburg.

When the undercover officer arrived at the hotel BAUER asked him to wait. Moments later, Eric SCELZA exited the room. Both SCELZA and BAUER were detained.

BAUER, after being advised of her rights, stated that she just finished a date with SCELZA who paid her $100 for sex. BAUER stated that SCELZA was a regular customer.

A search of the hotel room revealed that BAUER was in possession of methamphetamine and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.

BAUER and SCELZA were fingerprinted and photographed. BAUER is being held at the Monroe County Correctional Facility for an unrelated matter, SCELZA was released from custody. Both will appear in court at a later date.

This arrest is part of the Monroe County District Attorney's Office's ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking in the Poconos.