Henderson police lieutenant arrested on prostitution charges

A Henderson police lieutenant was arrested Sept. 10, accused of soliciting or engaging in prostitution, the second officer from the department to have been arrested by Las Vegas police on the charge in recent weeks.

John Coggs, 44, has been with the Henderson department since April 1991. He most recently was overseeing operations in the Henderson Detention Center, according to the department. He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation and the criminal charges.

Coggs, who lives in North Las Vegas, was arrested after attempting to pick up a female Las Vegas police officer disguised as a "street prostitute," according to the arrest report.

The officer, who was walking near Las Vegas Boulevard North and Craig Road, noticed Coggs watching her as he circled the block in his Cadillac CTS, the report states. He pulled up and told her he wanted fellatio. The officer suggested $40 for the service, but Coggs negotiated a discount to $25, according to the report.

The officer told Coggs to meet her behind a nearby restaurant, the report states. She gave a pre-arranged signal to other officers, who pulled Coggs over at 3900 Las Vegas Boulevard North, near Lamb Boulevard, about 7:30 a.m.

Coggs, reached for comment Wednesday, said he was disputing the charges. He declined to comment further. A call to his attorney was not immediately returned.

The lieutenant joins Michael Ray Stevens, 34, as Henderson police officers recently arrested by Las Vegas police on prostitution charges.

Stevens was caught by police after the department's vice section arrested several prostitutes last month.

The women mentioned having police officers as clients, and one of them mentioned Stevens. An undercover officer and the prostitute set up a meeting with Stevens, who agreed to pay for sex with the women, according to his arrest report.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.