Suffolk Couple Sentenced for Running Prostitution Ring
By Denise Bonilla
Staff Writer

October 21, 2003, 1:26 PM EDT

Ronald and Melissa Grab, the husband and wife who pleaded guilty last month to running a million-dollar escort service out of Brentwood, were sentenced today in Suffolk County Criminal Court

Judge Joseph Farneti sentenced Ronald, 39, who has a prior conviction for wire fraud and other charges from 1991, to a minimum of 2.5 years in an upstate prison. He pleaded guilty to money laundering.

Grab's wife of three years, Melissa, 33, was sentenced to 9 months for promoting prostitution. Neither said anything in court before the sentencing. The couple were assessed any fines because of the forfeiture of more than $1 million the couple earned from their "Exotic Escorts" prostitution business.

The business brought in $5,000 to $10,000 a week, Ronald Grab said, and he would bury it in the yard or hide it in the house. His wife knew about the money, but he said he didn't tell her where he was hiding it.

The typical cost of an encounter was $250, the prosecutor said. Of that, the prostitute would keep $100, the driver who took her to and from the client would get $50 and the Grabs would get $100, she said.

With that breakdown, the Grabs' work force of 10 to 12 prostitutes would have had to perform a total of 50 to 100 sex acts a week to produce the income described. Melissa Grab said she posted ads on various Internet sites to attract customers.

"We have beautiful girls available for all your desires and fantasies ... " one ad read. "We offer prompt 30-minute delivery thru out Long Island."
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