These observations are based on my experience in the region where I live but I suspect they apply elsewhere too.  

Given that internet advertising is rather blatant these days, and that providers' details are openly shared on this and other boards, it seems that LE could rather easily find a way to get past screening and bust any of the local agencies and providers.  After mongering regularly for about 5 years the only busts I have heard of have been massage parlors or lower end BP-type operations.  It seems that most agencies and higher end providers avoid unwanted attention by choosing locations where foot traffic is unlikely to disturb neighbors.  

So it appears that LE takes the position no harm no foul, i.e., as long as nobody is complaining and operations are conducted discreetly, they live and let live.  In other words, even if there is a moralistic element of society that would like to see hobbyists and providers prosecuted, and the laws remain on the books, perhaps due to the fact that LE's resources are too limited to target victimless crimes (or their understanding that it would a futile whack-a-mole exercise), there is little if any risk of higher-end providers and their clients getting busted.  Right?

Until an election year, then you will see a flurry of MP raids, bp arrests, etc. timed to hit the 11PM news.

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If LE is going to spend $$ on a sting operation, then they want a lot of 'bang for the buck': a large number of arrests that results in a big splash on the local news.   That's why their MO is to place a fake provider ad  (with hot photos) on Backpage & bust everyone who knocks on the door.   As you stated, LE could penetrate a screening site & bust indy providers and their clients, but that would take too much time & not enough arrests to justify the expense.  --z

I'm in a relatively rural area and there is almost no LE concern in the countryside...most of the LE activity seems to be in the towns, and that's mainly aimed at the lower end BP and street hookers...

-- Modified on 1/2/2016 7:09:51 AM

hat is no reason to be complacent about your personal security.

Sticking to well reviewed providers, screening, and discretion are still a must.

LE enforcement comes in cycles depending on political winds, and winds are notoriously fickle.

Because of the current mania about trafficking and illegal aliens, AMPs remain a very dubious choice for hobbying in terms of security.

Keep an eye on your local newspapers and local TER boards for heads-ups regarding busts

and I also think Eliot Spitzer might have a few words on the subject, not to mention the guys in Phoenix swept up the Desert Divas mess. I am sure I would run out of bandwidth before I ran out of examples.

Yes, LE tends to prefer the low hanging fruit, but that certainly doesn't make everyone else 100% safe.  

The worst thing that can happen to you in this business is to get famous, the better known you are, the bigger the target on your back.

Anonymity and money is like heaven.

Fame and fortune is hell

Someone complains. Hooker got beat badly, john got beat or robbed. Maybe somebody turned up dead.
Local politicians demand action.
Police go after easy targets, make as many arrest as possible as easy as possible.
News coverage shows that we are doing something.
Other crime takes the spotlight, back to normal.

You can absolutely count on Two counties in the Carolinas setting up a sting at least once a year. They even have made the national news. They always go after the low end price wise. My opinion is they are more likely to get drugs that way and less likely to bag a judge.

I'm trying to recap a few things that come to mind:  

Someone mentioned Spitzer: Spitzer's bank account was flagged to the authorities by his bank because of numerous $5k cash withdrawals (his bank used a lower threshold, well below the mandatory $10k notification requirement). When investigated further, they figured out where the dough was going and that was the end of that!

A major NY based agency (A Greek-goddess's Companions) was targeted for money laundering large financial transactions to off shore accounts, tax evasion and so on. That blew up to the front pages and the owners went down and are probably still in prison. They probably got a lot of phone numbers, names and so on but I don't there was any immediate attempt to reel in the boys or the girls.  

In New England, there was a MP bust a while ago that netted a bunch of girls and guys. The guys were exposed and charged but there were zero convictions. "Just messing with you, buddies!"  

In New Hampshire, a zumba instructor was operating her other business out of her zumba studio. The activity led to a lengthy investigation until the final bust. They got her "book" of customers and there was talk that it included several Important People of the community. I don't remember how it turned out. The idea is, that it was not a spontaneous one-time, make a phone call, break down the door, slap on the cuffs kind of thing. It was a lengthy investigation.  

Not too long after the NY goddess's Companiions thing, another major NY area Madam was nabbed for her illegal activities (NY Post, NY News front page pictures, and so on). Once again, not a sudden thing, but a longer investigation.

In other areas, there do appear to be the sting operations designed to bait and catch the guys. It's good for the pre-election headline but I don't know about the conviction rate.  

I've heard of NYC AMPs getting raided but usually precipitated by another event. A fire in the building and everyone goes scurrying out of the nest. A robbery that leads to an investigation and the place has to relocate for discretionary purposes.  

Talking about benign neglect, one NYC AMP used to be located on the same block as the local precinct HQ! You had to walk past 20 parked police cars to get to their door!  

The NY Times ran an article many years ago about a midtown AMP near Times Square that was a hang out and play house for the local cops. The problem was, it was scaring away the regular customers. So they opened up a second place directly across the street, the one where no cops were allowed.  

We don't hear too much about the spontaneous, opportunistic one-at-a-time nab-a-guy or nab-a-girl arrests because it's usually not newsworthy so I have no idea how common it is or what the consequences are. Even if there is no conviction (misdemeanor or criminal), I'm sure the whole mess can ruin a life (see Spitzer as an example of that).  

I wish Spitzer would have used the opportunity to challenge the laws and get this legalized or decriminalized. AS IT SHOULD BE.

If legalization happened... Auto dealer service centers, would offer a BBBJ with every oil change.

I usually get a good screwing when I bring my car in