I saw a post on the NY board about a New Jersey agency that was busted.  For a variety of reasons, I strongly suspect I know which agency was involved; I'm not surprised given their level of incompetence.  Two questions:

First, how aggressive is LE likely to be to follow up on this?  They caught a few hobbyists who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  What about going thru phone records or other records to catch other hobbyists?  I am assuming this would be a waste of effort because they cannot catch anyone doing anything.  On the other hand, I would not be interested in receiving some harassing phone calls.

Second, any tips on how to avoid an agency that is this sloppy?  Again, if it's the folks I suspect, then I would avoid them anyway, based on my experience.  But they looked "normal," and they had a number of TER reviews.  Is this just the kind of bad luck that can happen to anyone?  From the article posted, it appears LE was monitoring the web, and then got a "tip" on the location.  How would they get such a tip?

"how aggressive is LE likely to be to follow up on this?"

Depends on what names are in the little black book.  Famous people would be in for a lot of trouble.

Also, LE could go through the records looking for witnesses to use against the agency.  The more clients the line up to testify, the more charges they can bring against the agency.

Usually, LE is not interested in going through the records to charge the clients for a crime.  As you said, they would have a hard time proving their case unless the provider cooperated.  Since seeing a provider is a lesser crime than being a provider, LE typically will not 'trade down' to get the clients.

(Note the repeated use of words like "usually" and "typically" in the above paragraph.  LE could do the exact opposite of what I said, and the closer it is to your local election, the more aggressive LE will be)

"Second, any tips on how to avoid an agency that is this sloppy?"

Don't use agencies.  Agencies give LE a large bang for their buck.  They get to bust lots of providers and potentially lots of clients with one investigation.  To bust independents, LE has to go after each one individually.  That costs more, and won't make as large a splash in the press.

(That above paragraph also is a "usually" situation.  Again, LE could change tactics, especially if they think they've "beaten" the agencies).

"How would they get such a tip?"

Depends on the location.  Often, it's neighbors who are tired of the traffic.  It could also be someone who is angry at the provider/agency, and is trying to get revenge (perhaps some client felt the lady should have given him BBFS and she didn't).  Maybe a well-meaning friend found out about her job, and decided to "save" her.

(Disclaimer: not a lawyer)

-- Modified on 1/23/2007 7:49:59 PM

In NC there was an amp next door to a church and the church members cpmplained that there customers were parking in the chuch parking lot

"No brothel parking"  

(still not a lawyer)

Apparently LE just used Craigslist to bust several providers and one hobbiest with a warrent in Beaverton, which is an 'upscale', 'bedroom' community to Portland, Or.  Since checking out review sites I have become a little paranoid.

My understanding is CL is serious fodder for LE busts - I would be curious to find out if there have been any busts off this site??

I think agencies are definitely more on the radar than independents. They can turn over the records to INS for illegal aliens and the IRS can go after the owners for taxes.

LE in Los Angeles definitely knows of this site.  They busted an agency 3 years ago, and they humiliated the girls on the witness stand, reading their reviews, etc.  The men were not exposed at all.  The girls in the agency were pressured to testify, and the madam served time.  They don't go after the men, they go after the women, and particularly the agencies because of the wording of the law, agencies are forbidden.