Taken from the Phoenix board, Desert Divas and  AZ-Confidential escort agencies were busted two days ago that included 50 arrests of owners, operators, escorts and some TER hobbyists. The scary thing is that LE has gotten hold of hundreds to thousands of client names that they are planning on prosecuting (prostitution, RICO charges, etc). Over 7 homes have been raided all over the phoenix and scottsdale area that have held M&G for this agency. Hope Miss Nikky Avalon would be ok as she will be in Phoenix from 8/7 to 8/10 working for Mystique

Visit the Phoenix board and see the links to the mugshots of the arrested, and interesting discussion of what this could mean to the hobby. scary stuff

Indeed this is a VERY serious LE undertaking that began over a year ago and involved several Federal Agencies, assited by local LE.  Lots of back-channeling going on.  Bottom line is that hobbying activity in the Phx area will be taking a "chill" for awhile.

I have no plans on canceling my PHX trip for Sept....even more so since i have tickets to see my all time fav band live in concert down there...One thing i have learned in this biz is that it takes a very smart woman and need to know the how the law works....i myself am very smart and so is Ms. Nikki...

Always,
LaRue

-- Modified on 8/7/2008 11:39:54 AM

..since Sheriff Joe is a long-time foe of all adult entertainment businesses and their patrons out there in the Valley. Oh, by the way, did you all happen to notice that this is an election year? Plus, we all know the Bush/Cheney administration would rather prosecute these kinds of people before they leave office, likely to "pay back" their right-wing religious supporters, rather than concentrating on catching binLaden and other terrorists - or going after the corporate criminals behind the recent rampant oil price speculation, the mortgage crisis, and a host of other REAL crimes against the citizens of this country.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU VOTE FOR REPUGNICANTS, PEOPLE!!!  Disclaimer: not ALL Republicans are "Repugnicants", but IMHO the vast majority in the GOP are (and BTW, more than a few Democrats are "Dumbocrats" as well).

Regards,
Speed Racer

I have to say that you two are without a dought on my list of the classyest (is that a word?) and intellegent ladies I have met. Go get um ladies.

According to all the articles on line I've read, the investigation was directed by the Phoenix Police Department, not the Maricopa County Sheriffs Department.  Therefore, Sheriff Joe would have had little to do with it other than support provided as requested from the Phoenix PD.

Phil Gordon, Mayor of Phoenix, is quoted in one of those articles saying: "These are not victimless crimes. On the most basic level, those involved in prostitution, and the family members who love them, are neglected or worse. And the money generated from these illegal ventures helps fund other criminal enterprises such as drug and smuggling operations. This is a good use of resources and I thank the County Attorney and the Phoenix Police Department for working together to make this a better community."  By the way, Phil Gordon is a DEMOCRAT.

Any further discussion, let's have it on the politics board.

I don't think solicitation and prostitution are criminal acts that can lead to racketeering charges via RICO.  Maybe money laundering if you could prove that and some other criminal act covered by RICO but I don't think any single provider will be worried about a racketeering charge.

Bob

State law solicitation and prostitution per se are not RICO predicate acts, although RICO does include the violation of certain trafficking and white slavery statutes, child sexual offenses, and dealing in obscene matters.

But the Mann Act is always implicated by interstate travel involving sex for pay and any furtherance of such a scheme by the use of telephones or mails may provide a basis for mail fraud or wire fraud, which are RiCO predicate acts. And if you  conspire with one of the RICO defendants that violates the statute as well.

So it can be complicated....

That is scary stuff.  But not to worry.  My real name is John McCain, so I have your back (LOL! Just kidding!).

Seriously though, this makes me angry because a lot of good people just living their lives will no doubt end up going through a lot of stress and spending a lot of money defending themselves from baseless charges.

You can write down my handle because if this site and people on this site are treated similarly, I could and would testify in your case, truthfully, hand on a bible, to the following:

1.  I have met women through this site and never, not ever, has one offered me sex for money, nor have I ever offered anyone money for sex.

2.  I have met women through this site who have come to my home, and I've made a donation for their time, and nothing whatsoever of a sexual nature ever occurred.  Therefore, I deduce, based on personal experience, that this site, and people on this site, are about entertainment, companionship, and even fantasy.

3.  The "fantasy" part I infer from the fact that some reviewers might say they had sex with a particular woman, yet when I've called that woman and spent time with her, nothing of a sexual nature happened.  

4.  All of the above also leads me to believe that what the women I've met through this site say is true: if anything of a sexual nature ever does happen, it happens as a spontaneous act between two adults.  No quid pro quo is ever expressed or implied and, in fact, has been disproved.

That's the absolute truth, in my personal experience.

You're right about this being some "scary shit".

Like RICO scary, you know. Let's play devil’s advocate.

Firstly, not just the agencies but the girls in some instances are facing RICO charges, (that's right they just pile it on, gives them more bargaining chips). Lovely ladies facing extended prison time with children and families my friend are going to flip faster than the man at the grill with the flap-jacks at your local IHOP.

Again, just as an example the 8 lovely ladies you have reviewed herein on this public forum to which the FBI have placed in your docket, state otherwise, which makes you a liar and worse than your deny, deny, deny. They have confirmed that your fun time included BBBJ's, CG, RCG, MISH, Doggie and all other positions. They also confirmed that you paid them in an envelope containing 4 crisp $100 bills. In other words you paid them for sex. Understand?

Secondly, I would recommend you not be a witness for any of your so-called friends of TER. Besides being caught in perjury charges, you face your own litany of offenses.

Lastly, as your counsel of record, I have already advised you to STFU. Let me make it clearer. DO NOT under any circumstances what-so-ever talk to the police, whether they are Park Rangers, City Police, FBI agents, DEA, ATF or anything else. Even if what you say might be true (not likely under the circumstances) they will only attempt to catch you lying, which as mentioned above is even worse. You may not intend to lie, but it will be a he said and you said. You should have never SAID anything. If you fail to follow my legal advice I will likely have to recues myself as your legal representative.

Finally, regarding your 1, 2, 3 and 4 statements, quit trying to represent yourself. Any man, who represents himself in a court of law, has a fool for a lawyer.

She was kinda bitchy, and I don't talk to her anymore.

So, I guess I gotta agree with you.

... are the taxpayers who have to pay for such witch hunts. Fight REAL crime, not consentual prostitution!

And with these final thoughts, I'll respect your wishes about limiting political comments here.

Regards,
Speed Racer

P.S., Though Sheriff Joe might not have had a major role in this particular case, I'm sure he fully supported this endevour.

Lastly, as your counsel of record, I have already advised you to STFU. Let me make it clearer. DO NOT under any circumstances what-so-ever talk to the police,...

I believe in this advice, but always wondered how you deal with it when, given that it's going to be your word against that of the police, what happens when the police just SAY that you talked to them, and "here's what you said". How do you prove that you never said a word to them?

accepting as true what you posted.


"DO NOT under any circumstances what-so-ever talk to the police, whether they are Park Rangers, City Police, FBI agents, DEA, ATF or anything else."


          As always, context is critical in making decisions of this nature and consultation with a criminal attorney about your particular situation is the first step. But you might want to consider these general statements.

          First, if you are charged with a crime or subjected to custodial interrogation, you have a constitutional right not to talk to law enforcement officers and they will tell you so.


         Second, if talking will tend to incriminate you, you also have a right not to be silent in most circumstances.


        If, however, you are simply a witness to a crime, the better advice usually is to cooperate with law enforcement authorities, especially federal ones. Under some circumstances, withholding information that impedes an ongoing federal investigation can constitute obstruction of justice, a federal crime. And if you refuse to talk, that usually does not mean they just go away if they have probable cause to believe you have material information about a crime. The next time they knock on your door they may have a grand jury subpoena.

AND, you never talked to him/them ever, then I would bust his balls on the witness stand. Please remember, the police are not the only ones that know how to interrogate. Ooops the PC word is interview.

Call me at: 1-800-734-FOOL

Can that happen here? Is Las Vegas different?

It appears to be one of those laws that bends to whatever the prosecution needs it to.