Prostitution

Published on: March 26, 2014

Broward County Sex Crimes Defense Attorney :: Fort Lauderdale Coach Accused of Procuring a Minor for Prostitution

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A former Broward Christian School coach was arrested last month on charges of procuring a minor for prostitution after police claim he organized a meet up between two detectives posing as teenagers and another undercover detective posing as a client.

The 63-year-old West Park man was arrested on Feb. 5. According to Fort Lauderdale police, at the time of his arrest, detectives found more than 300 index cards in his possession with females’ first name, descriptions, telephone number and their hobbies.

Detectives are not sure how the man knew these women. Police are looking into whether he met some of them when he worked as a teacher and coach at Plantation’s Broward Christian School. He has not been employed at the school since 2001.

Police are going through the index cards and contacting everyone at the phone numbers listed.

Fort Lauderdale Police’s Human Trafficking Unit began investigating the man in January, after receiving a tip that the man was recruiting young and old females for sex trafficking.

In January, an undercover female detective posing as a 16-year-old apparently received multiple phone calls and text messages from the man. Police claim the conversations were sexually explicit.

Reports indicate that another undercover detective posing as a potential client called the man requesting to have sex with a 15- and 16-year-old. The man allegedly showed pictures to the undercover detective and told him he would arrange a meeting that would cost $200.

The man allegedly arranged for the group to meet at a Fort Lauderdale Dunkin Donuts on Feb. 5. According to the report, the man told the detective “to have fun and go handle your business.”

In addition to the charges of procuring a minor for prostitution, he was also charged with unlawful use of a telephone to set up the meeting.

The state of Florida has many regulations when it comes to prostitution, but those that carry the harshest penalties involve children and prostitution. If you or someone you care for has been arrested for or charged with procuring a minor for prostitution or similar charges, you must seek the help of a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Not only do these charges carry strict consequences if convicted, but the harsh social stigmas one can face from a guilty verdict can be overwhelming.

Published on: November 18, 2013

Seminole County Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Four Women Arrested in Lake Mary Prostitution Bust

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Four women were arrested last month in a prostitution sting at the La Quinta Hotel in Lake Mary.

Authorities claim the women were arrested after offering sex for hundreds of dollars at the hotel, which is located just off Interstate 4.

Undercover deputies apparently met the woman at the hotel after responding to ads listed on various websites, including Backpage.com and BodyRubList.com. The women allegedly agreed to perform sex acts for hundreds of dollars.

According to authorities, none of the women arrested live in Lake Mary.

The consequences related to a prostitution offense can be quite harsh, even if this is your first arrest. A first-time prostitution conviction can land you in county jail for up to 60 days. A second conviction can result in one year behind bars. A third or subsequent conviction for prostitution can carry up to five years in prison. Along with jail and/or prison time, a prostitution conviction can ruin your reputation, destroy your personal relationships and even restrict future career options.

If you have been arrested for a prostitution-related offense in Lake Mary, Oviedo, Altamonte Springs or the surrounding area, know that there is help available to you. A Seminole County Criminal Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton can make sure you understand the charges against you and what can be done to defeat them. As former prosecutors, we are very familiar with the inner workings of undercover prostitution stings and are knowledgeable about the laws involving entrapment. We can review the State’s case against you and challenge evidence involving these undercover busts while pursuing the strongest defense for your prostitution charges.

Published on: July 26, 2010

Ocala Prostitution Trap Nets 7 Johns

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Apparently the Ocala, Marion County, Florida Prostitution business has gotten so unwieldy that a multi-agency taskforce was assembled to bring the Ocala sex trade to task. According to reports, seven men were arrested allegedly engaging in solicitation of undercover female officers for sex. The Ocala Police department reports that one gentleman offered $50 for sex.

Criminal defense lawyers, often legally fight arrests for Solicitation of Prostitution, with Motions to Dismiss or Motions to Suppress Evidence because of the many entrapment issues that can be raised during these arrests. Although entrapment defenses can come up in other types of cases like drug crimes, sex crimes and theft cases—many solicitation of prostitution arrests have also been thrown out where judges and prosecutors have agreed that some guys were not predisposed to commit a crime, except that the conduct of the persuading and manipulating undercover officer made it an unreasonable situation.

Prostitution has a structured sentencing for anyone with prior convictions. A misdemeanor of the second degree can be charged for the first offense and the State Attorney can charge a misdemeanor of the first degree on a second charge. For a third or subsequent violation, the State Attorney can charge a third degree felony.

Published on: September 16, 2008

Brooksville, FL Undercover Prostitution Sting Leads to Arrest of 32 Alleged Johns

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Hernando County seat Brooksville, FL was the site for the Brooksville Police Department’s most recent undercover prostitution sting. This operation, according to Kyle Martin from the Hernando Today, took in 32 arrests this week.

Arrests for Prostitution, are often the target of Motions to Dismiss or Motions to Suppress Evidence due to the Entrapment issues that arise in these scenarios. Although Entrapment defenses arise in other cases–most notably drug crimes, sex crimes and theft cases–countless prostitution cases have also been dismissed where courts have found that a particular defendant was not predisposed to commit the crime, but for the persuading and manipulation of the undercover officer.

Like DUI, Prostitution has a tiered sentencing structure for multiple convictions. For the first violation, the State Attorney can charge a misdemeanor of the second degree. For the second violation, the State Attorney can charge a misdemeanor of the first degree, and for a third or subsequent violation, the State Attorney can charge a third degree felony.