E.P. Detective, N.K. Cops Bust 'Hooker'

An undercover East Providence police detective worked with North Kingstown police to arrest a North Kingstown woman on charges of prostitution after complaints from neighbors and an online post advertising her services.

The woman, Shumika Gunter, 28, was allegedly prostituting herself out of her apartment. Police became aware of the situation after several “concerned citizens” complained about possible prostitution activity in the area of McConnell Court and Merrill Lane.

Police found an online advertisement for a woman named “Leslie” on Backpage.com in the escort section of the website.

Police were able to cross-reference the phone number in the ad with a previous investigation and determined the number belonged to Gunter. North Kingstown police, in conjunction with the East Providence police vice unit and a South Kingstown officer, worked undercover to make the arrest.

The East Providence detective called Gunter to arrange a meeting, according to police. During the call, monitored by the NKPD, the woman gave her price of $160 an hour for her services and scheduled a meeting for later that afternoon.

When the detective arrived at Gunter’s apartment, she was allegedly not wearing pants.

Once in her bedroom, Gunter asked the detective if he wanted the “full hour” and told him that there was a $100 per half-hour option. When the detective asked her if he got everything for the half hour, she said, “Yes I do everything except for greek.”

The detective gave the code word and officers entered the apartment and arrested Gunter.

At the police station, Gunter allegedly told police, “This is the only illegal thing I do” in regards to the prostitution and that she “has others do her dirty work.”

Additionally, she allegedly told police that she was going to beat this charge anyway and would continue to do what she was doing.

Gunter’s children were at a friend’s house down the road, according to police. Previous information from a source indicates that Gunter has a family member watch her children while she conducts her prostitution activities.