Just announced on channel 4 news DDNM and the Phoenix DD have been busted by LE.
What a loss!! I figured it would be a matter of time before LE targeted DDNM. A huge loss, I hope the girls don't disappear, they're outstanding!
Major 3-state prostitution ring broken up
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Mike Sakal, Tribune
More than 50 people have been indicted in what authorities are calling the biggest prostitution bust in state history that includes a prominent east Phoenix physician and a ringleader who worked out of a Paradise Valley estate.
In a joint investigation - initially spurred by tips from Scottsdale officers - the Phoenix Police Department and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office investigated the ring for a year before July 24, when the county indicted 55 people on 17 felony counts.
Authorities made at least 23 arrests on Monday and Tuesday, and more are expected to come, according to Phoenix police.
Among those arrested were Dr. Ross Levatter, 55, a Valley radiologist, whom police suspect of operating a criminal syndicate; and Paradise Valley resident Paul Nichta, 32, alleged to be the ringleader of the operation that extended into two other states.
Levatter was arrested at his place of work - an East Valley hospital - on Tuesday, but police would not release the name of the hospital.
Levatter's role included introducing prostitutes to prospective local clients and those from out of town for a cost ranging from $400 to thousands of dollars, according to Phoenix police Lt. Bill Schemers, who led the investigation.
The ring, which has been in operation for at least seven years, extended to Albuquerque, N.M., and Philadelphia, and is estimated to have made $250,000 a month.
The operation provided prostitutes to escort services on Web sites and weekly meet-and-greets with clients at upscale restaurants.
Some of the prostitutes worked for escort services such as Desert Divas LLC, Night Partners Entertainment, NPE Management Services, Hips Touring LLC, Escorts in Action, AZ Confidential and Desert Divas New Mexico.
Some of the sex acts between the prostitutes and their clients could be viewed on the Web sites to provide other prospective clients an opportunity to shop for women, according to Schemers.
"These were not your typical streetwalkers," said Schemers, who added that the investigation is only half completed. "Some of the prostitutes were young adults who were barely 18, and still living at home with their parents.
"This was in-your-face prostitution that consisted of prostitutes in middle-class to upper-class neighborhoods. There's just so many issues here and so many people involved."
Levatter once had privileges to work as a staff radiologist at Phoenix Children's Hospital, but left the hospital in 2000, according to Jessica Catlin, spokeswoman for Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Levatter's east Phoenix home just south of Camelback Mountain sits in a multimillion-dollar neighborhood, according to the Maricopa County Assessor's Web site.
The doctor served as Division Director of GI Radiology at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix, according to information on Franklin-Seidelmann.com, a Web site that lists specialty radiologists.
During a news conference at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office on Tuesday, authorities said "many prominent names" are on the pages of pay ledgers spanning nearly 367 pages of thousands of "Johns," or clients, and more than 100 prostitutes.
The names of those arrested will be released at a later time, police said.
"It doesn't matter if you have a name or not," said Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill. "We're going to move forward with prosecutions."
Other arrests in connection with the ring included: Scott Eder, 35, of Paradise Valley, who was arrested along with Nichta at 6839 E. Sunnyvale Road; Peter Shifman, 56; Billi Mayfield, 19; Adam Beech, 25; Charles Sanders, 29; Louis Sterling, 55; William Ferretti, 65; Chloe Magouliotis, 23; Kursta Luna, 24; Allison Brown, 20; Leslie Burton, 28; Amy Pickens, 37; Sandra Molini, 27; Sara Scott, 21; Tiffany Haltom, 24; Kari Fager, 21; Brie George, 31; Sara Broadhead, 31; Amber Butler, 23; Michelle Sakuei, 28; and Heidi Schreider-Rendon, 29.
The charges pending against them include felony offenses such as illegal control of an enterprise, conspiracy to commit illegal control of an enterprise, illegal participation in an enterprise, money laundering, receiving the earnings of a prostitute and use of wire or electronic communication in drug-related transaction, according to the county attorney's office.
Three East Valley residences - Nichta's residence, a Gilbert residence and a Cave Creek home - were seized, as were eight luxury vehicles and 11 handguns as part of the investigation.
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who was present at the news conference, praised the work of the Phoenix Police Department and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in putting the prostitution ring out of business.
"The money generated from these illegal ventures helps fund other criminal enterprises, such as drug and smuggling operations," Gordon said.
Phoenix police Chief Jack Harris said the department's vice enforcement unit successfully targeted a large-scale, sophisticated operation dealing in prostitution and pornography.
"Our experience has shown us that these crimes have far-reaching consequences on our community," Harris said.
Hi Dave, what brings ya to our NM board? LOL Things a bit dull over in the COPper state?
"Our experience has shown us that these crimes have far-reaching consequences on our community," Harris said.
Well, speaking from personal experience, I'm generally a happier more productive guy after a "nooner"! knowwhatimean??
Hi OD, I wanted to post what was showing in our papers as it effected the DDNM group. FA and I (DA) prefer late nighters unless with Larue.... Nooned before Mystiques M&G last month, hehe.. how heavy did it hit your area with the arrests?
DAFA
So far only report is that James, their manager here, was arrested. Not sure if they've rounded up the girls yet, but I suspect they will. Bummer because they were all pretty young and essentially got sold a "bill of goods" by Paul and his cronies!
The M & G's were at a popular "Hooter's-type" restaurant. Nothing illegal about having a brewski and mingling with people. Well, at least not YET!!!
While I don't think our friend Jack will be targeted, he and the other agencies, as well as many independants, are altering their internet presence!
Just a tongue in cheek caddy remark: "Perhaps it's time for a month of Free Love in the Valley!"
Will they arrest people who regularly attended the M & G? Here is a link to the original article on sex work
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