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In today's "I research and read so you don't have to" news: the Florida spa prostitution sting. Specifically, tracing what's happened with the employees (without naming them). Sources: county court docs, county inmate DBs. Long thread.
1. Last week of August 2018: @VeroBeachPD began prostitution investigation "as a result of numerous citizen complaints." They eventually wrote female manager was only woman they saw leave on her own; they allege other women lived there and only left in manager's company.
2. @VeroBeachPD sent in a detective with cash and a surveillance device on 9/14 and 9/18/18. He was allegedly massaged, briefly fondled, and kissed along with getting a price list for specific sexual activities.
3. On 11/27/18, @VeroBeachPD got a judge's order to enter and place surveillance cameras. Between 11/30/18 and 1/1/19, they allege they "observed the performance of over 140 sex acts for money" by 9 different female employees
4. @VeroBeachPD's investigation involved: covert surveillance, undercover, following to store and watching security video of purchases including condoms, subpoenaing bank records which included ads and taxes, and more than a month of surveillance cameras.
5. @IRCSheriff received a complaint on 10/14/18 from Dept of Health's Karen that spa inspection raised concerns about prostitution and possible human trafficking. "Clothing, suitcase, food, bedding" and other signs people might live there.
6. @IRCSheriff lists 30 alleged sex acts by one employee on named clients from 12/17/18 to 1/30/19 but doesn't explain how they arrived at these-- questioning? Cameras? Also followed her to bank to observe a deposit (charges inc racketeering).
7. @MartinFLSheriff and court haven't shared many documents yet but include charges allegedly occurring "on or between July 31, 2018 and November 20, 2018".
8. In late October 2018 @MartinFLSheriff tipped off @TownofJupiter PD that "they were working several cases of prostitution and possible human trafficking at Asian massage parlors in their county." They'd found a business connection to a Jupiter spa.
9. @TownofJupiter PD dug around online, including reviews claiming "rub and tug" services. They began surveillance on 11/6/2018, with 24 hour outside covert video from 11/6 to 11/14.
10. On 11/12/18, @TownofJupiter PD contacted Karen (from the @IRCSheriff cases) to conduct a "routine inspection" on 11/14. She observed bedrooms with dressers, personal belongings, medicine, refrigerator, etc.
11. @TownofJupiter PD conducted multiple "trash pulls" in Nov and had presumptive tests napkins for seminal fluid, which they say were positive.
12. @TownofJupiter PD conducted multiple "trash pulls" in Nov and had presumptive tests napkins for seminal fluid, which they say were positive.
13. @TownofJupiter PD didn't write what (if anything) they did in Dec 2018. Continued outdoor surveillance log on 1/10/19. They made traffic stops of alleged clients and questioned them.
14. @TownofJupiter PD got a warrant on 1/15/19, placed and then monitored non-audio hidden cameras from 1/18-1/22. Warrants log 26 alleged clients receiving sex acts with specifics, but not naming clients. Tracked 1 woman's car 1/20-1/21,& pulled State of FL wage & hour reports.
15. So far I've found at least 11 women who've been arrested. Most remain incarcerated. At least 1 is also on ICE detainer. 0 of these women have been charged with human trafficking.
16. Charges these women face include: engaging in prostitution, deriving support from proceeds, soliciting another to commit, renting a space/maintaining a house of pros., unlawful transport for pros., RICO racketeering.
17. Ah yes, I forgot about Orlando! Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) got involved in Orlando on 2/19 while serving a search warrant on another spa. They notified @VeroBeachPD and matched an employee in Orlando to Vero Beach.
15b. Correcting myself! 10 women arrested thus far, and 2 with open cases in court but not yet in custody. An additional 10 (employees and at least 1 owner) were named in docs but don't have a case or arrest. Also a driver was arrested and bonded out.
An update... A particular woman identified in the media as a victim has no changes in her charges, still in prison. I remain furious that anyone who might be a victim is "rescued" through arrest, charges, and imprisonment, and then media reports they aren't "cooperating".
