Former Pittsburgh Detective, Girlfriend Will Stand Trial in Prostitution Case

A retired Pittsburgh narcotics detective and his girlfriend will stand trial on charges in a prostitution case filed by , District Judge Mary Murray ruled today in Coraopolis District Court.

In a preliminary hearing this afternoon, Talib Kevin Ghafoor and his fiancée, Sabina Earlene Sailer, were held for court on all charges filed against them.

Prior to Murray's ruling, defense attorney Blaine Jones entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of Sailer, 42, of Florida. Defense attorney Frank Walker II entered a not-guilty plea for Ghafoor, 55, of East Liberty.

 Ghafoor is charged with promoting prostitution, processing instruments of crime and conspiracy. Sailer is charged with three counts of felony prostitution with conspiracy and one count of misdemeanor prostitution

 Both Ghafoor and Sailer were after an undercover prostitution sting in March.

According to police, an undercover detective answered an Internet ad for escort services by a woman known as “Sally.” When the two arranged a meeting at the on Cherrington Parkway, Sailer showed up at the location and agreed to have sex with the detective in exchange for $200. Sailer began disrobing and was then arrested by the officer.

According to testimony from two undercover police officers, when Sailer was arrested, she told them that her fiancée, Ghafoor, dropped her off for the alleged liaison and was waiting for her in the parking lot. Police arrested Ghafoor, who they said was sitting in his parked car outside the hotel.

Ghafoor, a former Pittsburgh Police Officer of the Year, resigned from the city police bureau amid controversy in 2008 after serving for 21 years. He and Sailer remain free on bond.

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