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Admin
12-31-99, 20:00
Thread Starter

FLSTC
05-27-11, 16:31
Police warn prostitutes in Ypsilanti area of attacker who claims to be police officer.

Investigators are alerting prostitutes in the Ypsilanti area that a man posing as a police officer has attacked at least two prostitutes in recent weeks, according to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators believe the same man raped one woman and attempted to rape another in the area, sheriff's spokesman Derrick Jackson confirmed today.

'Our detectives who work the street have been talking to prostitutes and letting them know what's going on, ' Jackson said. 'He didn't show a badge, but it was all verbal — he said he was a police officer. '

Jackson said both women were treated and released from a local hospital.

Jackson did not release specifics of the incidents, but reports obtained by the Free Press show one incident occurred May 3 and the other occurred April 19.

In the May 3 incident, a woman told police she got into a man's car at a gas station in the Ypsilanti area, he told her he was a police officer and she was busted, according to the report. She said he parked on a private drive on Ridge Road in Superior Township, where he told her to perform a sex act for free to stay out of jail and then ordered her out of the vehicle at gunpoint, the report said.

In the April 19 incident, a woman said she was walking on East Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti Township when a man dressed in dark police-type clothes forced her behind a business and drew a gun from a holster, the report said. She said she asked to see his police badge, and he sexually assaulted her, the report said.

In both cases, the man was described as white, in his 20s to 30s, thin and with a goatee.

Barbara Niess May, executive director of SafeHouse, Washtenaw County's rape and domestic violence crisis center, said attacks against prostitutes are severely underreported. May, whose center helps about 600 victims a year, would not comment on the most recent cases, citing the non-profit's confidentiality policy.

National studies show victims only report 1 in 15 sexual assaults, and May said even fewer prostitutes report attacks.

'They believe their lifestyle will be held against them, ' May said. 'First, they're fearful for being arrested for that. Secondly, they don't feel anyone will believe them, and they don't have any family support or support to get them through this. And they don't want to roll the dice. '

Jackson said the department is vigorously pursing the attacker.

'Regardless of what the profession is, a crime is a crime, ' Jackson said.

DarkSilver
09-02-11, 00:18
Seven women were arrested during a prostitution sting Wednesday along East Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, police said.

The women were arrested for solicitation for prostitution and taken to the Washtenaw County Jail. Charges are pending.

Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies and Ypsilanti police teamed up for the operation that ran from 4 pm to 11 p. M, an Ypsilanti police news release said.

There have been at least 4 other similar busts since May, resulting in a total of 25 other arrests.

http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/7-arrested-in-prostitution-sting-in-ypsilanti-and-ypsilanti-township/

DarkSilver
09-03-11, 01:08
Expect many new members.

Early Wednesday evening, an undercover Ypsilanti Police officer approached a woman in her mid-40's, offering money for sex as she walked near the corner of East Michigan Ave. And Allen Road in Ypsilanti Township.

The woman accepted and got in an unmarked car. Minutes later she and the 'john' were pulled over just east of Prospect Road on Cross Street by a team of Ypsilanti officers and Washtenaw County sheriff's department deputies.

The solicitation took place in Ypsilanti Township, the arrest was made in Ypsilanti and the woman was taken to the YPD for booking en route to the Washtenaw County Jail. She would spend the night there before seeing a judge in the morning.

'For these details that's normally how it goes," said sheriff's department Sgt. Marlene Radzik.

This intersection along Michigan Avenue was the site of an arrest during a prostitution sting Wednesday night.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor. Com.

Six times over the last year, the sheriff's department and Ypsilanti Police have run joint sting operations to try to curb persistent prostitution issues along East Michigan Ave, largely between Prospect and Ridge Roads. The stretch runs through their two jurisdictions, and both agencies ran solo sting operations in the past, but officials said they only succeeded in pushing the problem up and down the corridor.

Now, officials are hoping to permanently put a stop to prostitution in the area, and the partnership is one effort to address the issue. The other is an aggressive social program. Before a prostitute is transferred to the county jail, she meets with workers from the county's Project Outreach Team (PORT) for an assessment of her mental health and substance abuse issues.

The team writes sentencing recommendations that include mandatory substance abuse and mental health treatment. Because most area prostitutes, like the one arrested on Tuesday, are high when arrested and ply their trade to raise more money for drugs, PORT takes aim at those issues. And most judges take the recommendations seriously.

Police and social workers stressed that drugs and mental illness are behind the women's lifestyle choices, and the agencies are trying to be more effective by addressing them.

'I have not met one person while I've been out doing this who doesn't have a drug addiction or mental illness, ' said Renee Blaze, a PATH worker who interviews women.

The program started when Radzik, who has regularly logged hours as a decoy throughout her 22 years on the force, reached out to the social work agencies and YPD. The YPD's end is managed by Sgt. Troy Fulton. The partnership with social workers is new for both police agencies, which are used to simply arresting people and letting the judge handle the rest.

Officials in both agencies hope the new approach will be more successful than the past practice of catching, booking and releasing women and johns. Officers say they see too many repeat offenders and regularly arrest the same people in the same area.

A problem on the wane?

Fulton said Ypsilanti experienced a decrease in the number of prostitution calls over the last year, and neighborhood groups in the area are lodging fewer complaints about the issue. The business community along East Michigan Ave has been vocal about the problem in the Township.

Fulton theorized prostitution activity may have dropped in part because of the township's sharp industrial decline.

'When you have 4, 000 plant workers coming and going, there are a lot more customers, ' he said.

But undercover officers running the sting operation Wednesday evening only waited minutes before identifying and approaching suspected prostitutes.

Police officials said part of the problem is the strip has been identified as a good spot to pick up prostitutes on websites like Craigslist and USASexGuide. Info. At the latter, prostitutes and locations are rated and discussed in threads. Users also discuss sting operations.

Fulton said officers suspect prostitutes may use some of the motels on the strip, though they don't have concrete evidence and don't set up sting operations there. He added the area's physical environment also allowed prostitution to flourish. Until it was recently shut down and cleared, the Ypsilanti Mobile Village mobile home park just west of Ecorse Road on East Michigan Avenue was known for rampant prostitution because of the number of abandoned trailer homes.

Some of the women and johns arrested on stings are from out of town, while others are local. When a female decoy is out, officers pick up around eight johns in a five-hour period. When male decoys go looking for women, they usually net five to six.

There is no program for johns, though Radzik is hoping to eventually start one. Generally, their cars are impounded and they are charged with a misdemeanor.

The agencies have run six joint operations over the 18 months. Some planned operations had to be canceled because such a large team is required. Officers work on paid overtime for the stings, and more pressing issues such as murders occasionally require their full attention.

But police officials stressed prostitution is a serious crime and is not "victimless." Officers see women who are beaten or stabbed, and sometimes the women steal from their customers. Since most of the sex is unprotected, the johns sometimes bring home STD's to their wives. People who live in the area have to witness the prostitution and neighbors have complained that their teenage daughters are solicited when walking up to local stores.

Signs of success.

Following another arrest during Wednesday's sting operation, a woman in her early 20s with a record of prostitution told the arresting deputy, Sharon Saydak that she recognized Saydak from a previous arrest. The woman claimed she was set up by a friend on the first arrest. She then said that she hadn't planned to have sex with the undercover officer that evening and was only getting a ride to her aunt's house.

'I'm doing a lot better since you last saw me, ' she told Saydak.

Because it is still so early in the program, officials don't know the scale of their success, but PORT workers say results have been better than expected. Although the third woman arrested was a repeat offender, officers say anecdotally they are seeing fewer repeaters. Several of the first six women arrested and put through the program are now volunteers at PORT.

Beds are held at a local treatment center for women who are caught in the stings, and workers try to engage them as much as possible. After the prostitutes' initial assessment and follow up visits from PORT workers in jail, they are steered — or court ordered — to PORT's resources for homeless, drug-addicted and mentally ill residents caught in the justice system. The program aims to treat mental illness and addiction at the same time to increase the chances of success.

Radzik said she started the joint program and has a passion for it after what she has seen over the years. Many of the women in the Ypsilanti area use either crack or heroin, and most have no stable home and stay wherever they can. The prostitutes' lives, Radzik said, have become 'a sad revolving door. '

'You have to be desperate to put up with that, ' she said."Until you walk in their shoes, it's hard to understand that their addictions must be so much stronger than their common sense when they decide to put themselves in that position."

http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti-police-and-sheriffs-department-team-up-with-washtenaw-county-to-clear-prostitution-from-e/

Ypsi Cutie
09-30-11, 11:26
http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/police-arrest-6-men-in-reverse-prostitution-sting-in-ypsilanti-ypsilanti-township/

Ewalk
10-17-11, 23:37
http://www.detnews.com/article/20111014/METRO/110140422/1409/Feds-say-prostitution-ring-used-websites--sex-parties-to-hook-up-clients

DarkSilver
11-05-11, 17:02
http://www.annarbor.com/news/sheriffs-department-launches-new-web-page-featuring-mug-shots-of-johns-caught-soliciting-prostitutes/

What happened to innocent till proven guilty.

JoesParty
11-06-11, 14:54
http://www.annarbor.com/news/sheriffs-department-launches-new-web-page-featuring-mug-shots-of-johns-caught-soliciting-prostitutes/

What happened to innocent till proven guilty.It is unfortunate that innocent until proven guilty is a fuzzy concept for many in law enforcement, but the facts are that (1) this isn't really that uncommon-think of all the times you see a mug shot of a suspected burglar, arsonist, embezzler, etc-and (2) if these guys were caught in the act of solicitation, then they probably are guilty anyway.

But if one is able to fight the charges, I hope he sues the police for defamation. He'd probably lose, but it's worth an effort.

I do agree wholeheartedly that it is a sorry state of affairs that LE focuses so much time, effort, and $$ on picking up random johns when they City of Ypsilanti itself is circling the drain.

DarkSilver
11-08-11, 00:33
It is unfortunate that innocent until proven guilty is a fuzzy concept for many in law enforcement, but the facts are that (1) this isn't really that uncommon-think of all the times you see a mug shot of a suspected burglar, arsonist, embezzler, etc-and (2) if these guys were caught in the act of solicitation, then they probably are guilty anyway.

But if one is able to fight the charges, I hope he sues the police for defamation. He'd probably lose, but it's worth an effort.

I do agree wholeheartedly that it is a sorry state of affairs that LE focuses so much time, effort, and $$ on picking up random johns when they City of Ypsilanti itself is circling the drain.Can't remember where I saw it but someone said that prostitution caused the drug problem in Ypsi. I guess they have not been over at the park by the school and seen all the little baggies in the parking lot.

The article suggests the cause of prostitution is mental instability or drugs. Who know what is next if you speed or litter they might decide you need a labotomy of shock therapy.

Cross
02-22-13, 13:56
http://www.lenconnect.com/article/20130216/NEWS/130219581/1002/NEWS

Spa Misty workers plead guilty.

By Dennis Pelham.

Daily Telegram Staff Writer.

Feb. 16, 2013 3:00 pm.

ADRIAN. Two Korean women left a courtroom in tears Friday after admitting they were involved in prostitution at the Spa Misty massage parlor on West USA 223.

The women pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, shielding their faces in shame and crying during a plea hearing arranged late Friday afternoon. They were sentenced to one year of probation and released from jail.

The women, aged 57 and 48, were the only people in the massage parlor when the OMNI Team 3 investigation unit executed a search warrant on Monday. The business had been under investigation for prostitution for some time.

Bonds were originally set at $100, 000 for XXXXXXXXXX. 57, and XXXXXXXX. 48. At a hearing Thursday, bonds were changed to $75, 000 cash pending a March 26 jury trial. Judge Laura J. Schaedler said low bonds were too risky while the women were still under investigation for potential involvement in human trafficking.

XXXXXXX and XXXXXXX were apparently cleared of that suspicion Friday.

'Our investigation is complete as to these two individuals, ' said Lenawee County Prosecutor Burke Castleberry. 'We don't believe these are the business owners. '

Defense attorney James Daly said he does not believe the women are involved in any type of organized crime.

XXXXXXX had been living in Texas until she recently developed serious health problems. A boyfriend deserted her, he said, and she was left homeless and unemployed. She traveled to Michigan, he said, after friends told her she could find work at Spa Misty in Adrian.

'I don't believe anybody in this court feels any worse about what happened than she does, ' Daly told Judge James E. Sheridan.

'I believe it is totally out of character for her. I believe she did it only out of desperation for being destitute. '

XXXXXXX, a five-year resident of Virginia Beach, Va, said she took a temporary job as a cook and housekeeper at Spa Misty. She hesitated several times before admitting in court that she was aware prostitution was happening at the massage parlor.

'Do you remember telling the police you had a pretty good idea sex was going on? ' Daly asked XXXXXXX during the plea hearing.

'I was under the impression that it occurred there, ' XXXXXXX said through an interpreter.

'But you kept working there anyway? ' Sheridan asked.

'I tried to go, but I wasn't able to. Yes, I did try to leave, ' XXXXXXX said.

XXXXXXX told the court she had performed sex acts for money.

'I accept a little money. I had sex, ' XXXXXXX said, breaking into tears.

'I don't believe any purpose is being served by keeping these ladies in jail any longer, ' Daly said before they were sentenced to probation. Sheridan also ordered them each to pay $100 fines and $775 in court costs and fees. He also ordered them to stay away from Spa Misty and to not work at any other massage parlor or spa.

InSearchOfMoar
06-07-13, 21:33
Busted.

http://heritage.com/articles/2013/06/05/belleville_view/news/doc51af51b4ed509425005519.txt

The way I hear it, they kind of sucked anyway.

DarkSilver
06-24-14, 23:49
Ypsilanti police release images of suspect in attempted abduction.

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2014/06/ypsilanti_police_release_image.html#incart_river_default.

This will probably Keep uncle in high alert. As it should but be careful.

L.

DaveFromGL
05-24-15, 07:57
The business suffered a major set-back recently, thanks in-part to a couple of ex-employees working with LE:

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2015/05/woman_charged_for_running_ann.html#incart_most-read_news_article.

If anyone has dealt with girls from this agency, it would be wise to consider them "compromised" until they establish otherwise,
in case LE has their hooks into them.

DaveFromGL
05-11-16, 23:35
Police are asking the public's help in locating her and her daughter, as her purse containing cash and credit-cards was found along the roadside not far from her home, and her daughter who was last seen leaving with her did not show-up for school for the past two days.

http://wlns.com/2016/05/11/police-need-help-to-find-mother-and-daughter/

DaveFromGL
05-12-16, 00:47
The police found her car in Ypsilanti. Still no word on her or her daughter.

http://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/05/car_of_missing_woman_7-year-ol.html

Sincy
12-08-18, 10:47
Sad situation for some of the ladies controlled by evil handlers.

Also lesson for gentlemen to make sure your vehicle is safe and taken care of.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2018/12/man-charged-with-human-trafficking-at-ann-arbor-area-hotel.html

Fmc44
01-14-21, 13:39
https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/2021/01/14/washtenaw-county-prosecutor-no-longer-pursuing-charges-for-consensual-sex-work/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wdiv

Cummy2016
01-14-21, 22:17
Wow, this is great news! Finally a politician who is doing something right! Hopefully this means that Ann Arbor will have a better selection of providers at local hotels!


https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/2021/01/14/washtenaw-county-prosecutor-no-longer-pursuing-charges-for-consensual-sex-work/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wdiv

Member #6566
01-15-21, 11:42
Wow, this is great news! Finally a politician who is doing something right! Hopefully this means that Ann Arbor will have a better selection of providers at local hotels!This will definitely help with the selection of Ann Arbor escorts once the word gets out. Maybe it'll be like the good old days of backpage and Craigslist again. But in all honesty too the US is so behind the times when it comes to prostitution. There's absolutely no reason for it to be illegal.

Alex734
01-21-21, 08:27
This will definitely help with the selection of Ann Arbor escorts once the word gets out. Maybe it'll be like the good old days of backpage and Craigslist again. But in all honesty too the US is so behind the times when it comes to prostitution. There's absolutely no reason for it to be illegal.I 100% agree. I went to Australia last year. It was amazing. Every brothel that I visited was clean and so were the girls. No candy problems. They had every type you could think of such as thick, thin, old, young, tall, short, big titties or biss ass or both. Every ethnicity you could think of too. Since it was legal it kept the prices reasonable and they openly advertised what services they offered.

Member #6566
01-29-21, 22:28
I 100% agree. I went to Australia last year. It was amazing. Every brothel that I visited was clean and so were the girls. No candy problems. They had every type you could think of such as thick, thin, old, young, tall, short, big titties or biss ass or both. Every ethnicity you could think of too. Since it was legal it kept the prices reasonable and they openly advertised what services they offered.Reminds me of Europe too. Amsterdam in the red light district the girls in the windows charge 50 euros and are straightforward with everything. The brothels were around 80 euros. I had a great time and I was really happy with the pricing. The US is one of the last countries where prostitution is illegal. There's no reason for it to be illegal but we still are going off of 120 year old laws based off of religion. It's unfortunate.

BetrBatr
02-13-21, 16:28
Since the beginning of 2021 both the AMPs in Norton Shores Muskegon County have silently closed.

Opposite of that Ann Arbor Attitude. When is Smash Bash scheduled, we need your leadership like before.

Now there are no AMPs in Muskegon County, closest are located in the supposed more conservative Kent and Ottawa counties. Damn the sundown coast.

BTW the Muskegon County Grand Ole Party sent 2 party buses to the 1-6-21 Trump Insurrection, party on.

These events are hella cash cows for more Party.


https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/2021/01/14/washtenaw-county-prosecutor-no-longer-pursuing-charges-for-consensual-sex-work/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wdiv

HuronMan
04-22-21, 07:41
New York City's District Attorney announced he will no longer prosecute sex workers. Washtenaw County started a trend.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/ny-walking-while-trans-massage-loitering-dismissed-20210421-dkks6k3rc5gqnmscz6xzvwkrwy-story.html

Jp1225
04-22-21, 10:53
New York City's District Attorney announced he will no longer prosecute sex workers. Washtenaw County started a trend.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/manhattan/ny-walking-while-trans-massage-loitering-dismissed-20210421-dkks6k3rc5gqnmscz6xzvwkrwy-story.htmlThese changes are to help sex workers be more likely to report other crimes as well as be able to protect themselves against men who want to force them into unwanted acts. This in no way protects Johns, and if anything, opens the possibility of a provider going to authorities and drumming up charges if they don't like them or don't pay them enough. This is not Amsterdam or Australia or other places mentioned here. Took how long for marijuana to be legalized when it has far less of a moral issue than sex work does. It won't happen in our life time here in America. Remember. We think we are the best country in the world so why would we do what other countries do.

I would be very careful with this new found freedom sex workers might feel they have and how they might use it to their advantage. Society has always blamed the demand (us) and not the supply (them) for the existence of sex work. It's a chicken and egg thing.