Lots more felony pleas updsate
For those interested in our court system below is the results of just a few of the zillions of felony sexwork related cases recently in Maricopa County Superior Court. I only catch a few of them, but still have a big pile I know about that I haven't had time to update. They also show the dumb things people do making it easy to get busted. All of these cases have Grand Jury indictments after the original Direct Complaint by the police.
In almost all the pled cases result is a lifelong felony record and all that entails. Good luck with getting a future normal job is the saddest part for many. Pleas are instead of facing long prison sentences potentially if goes to trial and loses since the indictments are for many more counts than the few they plead to.
I recall only 1 recent case that went to trial and it was a bad result. At least 100 Phoenix men have been caught up in the child entrapment sting where on an adult only site, adult officers place ads listing an adult age, with a picture of obviously an adult (one had a wedding ring on). But in the conversation with the man they ask to pick up cigs or something mentioning they are only age 16 or 17. Arizona is one of only six states with the legal age of 18. In one case the attorney wrote a very extensive brief arguing entrapment and a number of Phoenix lawyers have blog entries or on their sites about the stings and how it is entrapment. Sadly Paul W. man rejected a plea for probation and took it to a jury. He lost and was faces 7 to 21 years in prison when sentenced on 10/15/2015. Hopefully he will appeal. This is the first time I've seen an entrapment defense that is strong and backed by many attorneys.
As part of the same case "6 men arrested in child prostitution sting" Others pled to pandering and got probation i.e. Frederick C. etc.
In the 4+-year old Goddess Temple case almost all pled and got 3 months to 6 months probation after "Donald Advisements" they could face up to 40 years in prison if they went to trial and were convicted on the many counts. Only 2 defendants remain of the 37 indicted with trial likely late in 2015 or early 2016.
I omit and do not follow the many "real" pimp cases where there is forced prostitution. I am only following victimless cases which are probably 90% of all the felony cases brought. There are maybe 10% (or less) that LE SHOULD focus on vs. private consenting adult workers.
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Massage Therapist Alleged Assault (Final Report)
On 11/5/2014 Chares U. a licensed LMT, was arrested on 2 counts of sexual assault on a 36 yr old female customer. The incident occurred in March 2013. In doing lymphatic massage he allegedly placed his mouth on "victim's" right breast in the areola and nipple region. She objected. He also had massaged her upper thighs and victim claims he touched her public area in the cleft of the labia majora. She complained to police and from a sexual assault exam swabbing the breast found DNA that matching him. He denies all. He took polygraph which he failed.
On 10/6/2015 Plea Agreement to 1 count Aggravated sexual assault undesignated felony with supervised probation (term decided at sentencing) with sex offender terms. Sentencing 11/5/2015
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Man allows BP escort to use home to meet clients (Final Report)
Rickey C. indicted for 2 counts of pandering, 2 counts illegal control of enterprise, 2 counts money laundering, and keeping a house of prostitution. Randy similar indictment.
An undercover replied to ad of "Julie" on BP coming to his home. She was arrested for not being able to produce an escort license. Julie told police she used Rickey's home to meet clients for sex and paid him $20 per client. Nicole also rented a room but was unable to pay $50/week so Rickey suggested a pretty girl like her could make lots of money as an escort. "Victim" Nicole disappeared in the process of the case.
Rickey age 56 at the time had no prior arrest records. Paid $5000 bail.
Pled to a single felony 5 charge and sentenced to 3 years probation and 100 hours of community service.
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Posted ads on BP Trio and brought escort in from CA. female Diana and brothers Ryan and Robert
(Final Report only Diana has sentencing from plea deal pending until Nov 2015)
Motel 6 in Scottsdale reported 2 males with same last name, rented a room with an address from CA. Motel management reported many men going into and out of the room.
LE found Diana who admitted to prostitution but not from that room. PD conducted surveillance on the room. Diana told them Robert and Ryan took her and victim "Victoria" age 18 from CA to AZ for prostitution. Diana posted their ads on BP. Diana reported that another women "victim A" had been raped by two tricks. Robert was abusive to victim A if she didn't make $700/night. And because she disrespected him and he was pimping for "game" not for money. If she told police his gang bangers will still around. Diana admitted that she had a prior prostitution arrest in 2014 for giving oral sex for $40.
Robert
In plea deal and presentence report Robert said he did nothing wrong but was just around so Diana named him. He doesn't believe he deserves punishment, but would take probation. He thinks probation would keep him on the right track. He lives with mom and wants to go to school to be an electrician.
Assessment of probation officer shows a medium-high risk to reoffend and needs treatment to address his prostitution behavior. Recommends 3 months in prison then 3 yrs supervised probation and register as a sex offender.
On 7/14/2015 plea deal for 1 count of sex trafficking a class 2 felony was accepted by Court. Victim A addressed the Court at sentencing. Sentence 5 years in prison with credit for 246 days of presentence incarceration. Plus fine of $1830 to Drug and Gang Enforcement Account and $1490 for extradition costs (I assume he returned to CA and was brought back to AZ at some point). Other fees included $13 to the investigation agency: Scottsdale Police and a $20 probation assessment fee. After release from prison community supervision Imposed pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-603(I) This provides for 1 day of supervision for every 7 days in prison.
Ryan
Pled to 1 count of pandering Class 5 felony. Sentenced to 1 year in prison with presentence incarceration credit of 96 days. Fine of $1000 but surcharges waived. Pay $533.97 to Maricopa Sheriff Office and other small charges similar to Robert.
Diana
Pled to 1 count of Facilitation to commit illegal control of an enterprise, a class 6 undesignated felony. Court allowed her to reside in CA pending sentencing but has to prove she has enrolled in the Dignity program - Catholic Charities program to "save" from prostitution.
Sentencing continued to 11/10/2015
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Escort assistant with no permit, and two escorts (initial)
Indicted - Arraignments 9/3/2015 and 10/7/2015
Helen- Indicted maintain house of prostitution felony 5 and prostitution. Released OA - initial pretrial 11/20/2015
Following go to felony pretrial intervention program:
Katelyn prosecution deferred up to 2 years to allow TASC completion (for drugs) and released OR.
Charles F. prosecution deferred up to 1 year to allow TASC completion
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Phoenix Spa Services (Final)
The usual ad on BP. Watched Spa for 2 months and questioned male clients leaving Spa who admitted were offered HJ's
Wendy G. Owned business and rented rooms to Taylor, Mistie and Stephanie. All arrested. None had massage licenses. Wendy was previously arrested in 2007 in Scottsdale for running a house of prostitution and in 2002 for operating an unlicensed massage place along with Mistie.
Indicted for illegal control of enterprise felonies and various other counts.
Wendy pled Attempt to Commit Operating or Maintaining a House of Prostitution Class 6 Felony and sentenced to 1-year probation.
Taylor pled to Facilitation to Commit Illegal Control of an Enterprise Class 6 Undesignated Felony and sentenced to 12 months probation.
Stephanie pled to Solicitation to Commit Pandering Class 1 Misdemeanor and sentenced to 6 months probation.
Mistie pled to Facilitation to Commit Illegal Control of an Enterprise Class 6 undesignated felony and sentenced to 6 months probation.
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Arizona Outcall (ongoing)
Shane, Jami, Sheila and Kendra with many felony count indictments. Arrests 9/2014
A few attorney changes but no pleas taken. Case dismissed against Kristin also arrested in the raid.
Trial set for 2/8/2016 unless plea deals are reached.
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Massage office in Glendale on 35th Ave (FInal)
Angela M. indicted for maintain house or prostitution.
Citizen complaint of prostitution. Undercover (UC) found BP ad. Told would get a handjob for $160. 2nd UC told by her that her "home run" service was available that included intercourse. When 2nd UC gave bust signal and left, police unable to get in door since she locked it When police entered (probably smashing the door down), she had erased the White Board that showed her services and rates.
Good news: All of a sudden the State dismissed the case without prejudice "in the interest of justice". Have no idea why unless one of the UC's went too far. However, "without prejudice" means the case can be resubmitted in the future.
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Healing Hands Massage on 7th Ave (Final)
Jackie S. She had an old prior interesting 2009 case where she lost at Phoenix Court for prostitution but did an extensive appeal based on among other grounds that she had a right to a jury trial. The Superior Court upheld the Phoenix Court conviction
Now - Customer compliant to police, did surveillance noting many men coming in. UC got a prostitution deal from Loi L. $60 for a HJ. 2nd UC got same deal and 3rd with Lan G. Jackie had been observed coming and going in Honda Pilot.
UC with Jackie was asked at end of a massage "anything else?" And by hand signals offered a HJ and then said would do nude for $100.
Indicted for Receive earnings from prostitution, maintain house of prostitution, employee of house of prostitution felonies and prostitution a misdemeanor. Paid $4500 cash bail
Pled to just the prostitution misdemeanor (probably since couldn't find other workers)
Court sentenced to 1 year supervised probation, not to be engaged in the sexwork or massage industry and the usual conditions and fees.
I am not clear how she avoided the mandatory jail time especially since was her 2nd conviction but apparently can avoid in the plea deal).
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Sexee Ladies Incall (update and final)
I did a detailed report on the arrests and indictment of father, son and Nicole the manager in June 2014.
In 2015:
Nicole took a plea to Facilitation to Commit Illegal Control of an Enterprise, Class 6 undesignated felony. Sentenced to 9 months probation.
Michael (son) took a plea to Operating or Maintaining a House of Prostitution Class 5 Felony. Sentenced to 18 months probation.
Donald (father) took a plea to Operating or Maintaining a House of Prostitution Class 5 Felony. Sentenced to 18 months probation.
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Girlfriend Removing Pimps Facebook Page (Final)
Nicole D. Deleted her former boyfriend's Facebook account after reading about him being unfaithful to her. She says she did not know deleting the account was illegal and that she would get in trouble. Age 30 with no prior criminal history. Works at a nightclub as a bartender/server and makes about $1000/month. She was described by another prostitute as being the pimp's "bottom" and Nicole would sometimes collect money from other women to give to Ramone, the pimp. Presentence report recommends 2 yrs supervised probation and ordered to compete Catholic Charities DIGNITY program.
Took plea which was accepted by the Court on 5/5/2015 for Class 5 Felony Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree. Sentenced to 2 years probation
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Not fully reporting on pimp Ramone in detail other than he required $60/day from each prostitute whether they had customers or not.
And at the arrest, when the SWAT team raided apartment he leaped out a balcony to one below. The women in the leaped onto apartment was severely traumatized by Ramone. She jumps at the smallest sound and drapes her balcony door but is afraid someone is behind the blinds. She does not sleep well and is even afraid to not keep her eyes open in the shower for fear she will miss someone trying to get into her apartment. She now always carries pepper spray to protect herself. She was unable to afford counseling.
Ramone took a plea deal for Attempt to Commit Sex Trafficking a Class 3 Felony and Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class 5 Felony. He also has a separate pandering case in Court and served prison time on prior Aggravated Assault Class 3 Felony.
On 6/12/2015 Ramone was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for the sex trafficking plea and 3 years probation after release from prison for the Hindering Prosecution plea.
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