MERCER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man was arrested Wednesday night at a Mercer County travel plaza after allegedly going door-to-door in women’s clothing soliciting sex from truck drivers and later refusing to leave the property when ordered by law enforcement.
According to police, the incident happened around 10:20 p.m. near the 19-mile marker southbound Travel Plaza, where dispatchers received multiple calls about a male in women’s attire approaching parked trucks and propositioning drivers.
Before officers arrived, the man reportedly got into a black four-door sedan with Ohio plates. Upon arrival, an officer spotted the car and found Todd Newland in the front passenger seat — with his head in another man’s lap.
The officer asked Newland to step out of the vehicle. Newland claimed his ID was in his nearby truck, and while walking with the officer to retrieve it, the other man drove away.
After confirming Newland’s identity through his South Carolina driver’s license, the officer instructed him to leave the property. Newland refused, reportedly telling the officer, “Knock yourself out, because I’m not leaving.”
At that point, the officer placed Newland under arrest. During the arrest, Newland allegedly threw himself against the police cruiser several times, screaming for help and causing damage to the vehicle near the back passenger door.
Newland was first transported to the Princeton Turnpike Office and then booked at the Southern Regional Jail.
He faces charges of:
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Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer (misdemeanor)
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Destruction of Property (misdemeanor)
Both offenses carry potential penalties of up to one year in jail and fines up to $500.
