Sheriff: Sex sting targeted huge Palm Springs pros ution ring
Tuesday, August 15, 2006; Posted: 12:12 p.m. EDT (16:12 GMT)
RIVERSIDE, California (AP) -- Two men were arrested on su ion of running a massive pros ution ring that employed more than 240 women across several Western states and generated millions of dollars, authorities said.
Boaz Benmoshe, 44, and Ofer Moses Lupovitz, 43, were among seven people arrested last week and charged for investigation of pimping, pandering, perjury, loan fraud, money laundering, falsifying income tax returns and grand theft, Riverside County Sheriff Bob Doyle said Monday.
The suspects operated Elite Entertainment, a Palm Springs business that posed as an escort service in online and newspaper advertisements, according to an affidavit filed by prosecutors.
For at least three years, the business managed more than 80 phone lines, where clients across California, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona would call an 800 number and request a girl.
The suspects would dispatch the pros utes, who charged between $200 to $2,000 for sexual services, Doyle said. They used the money to secure loans fraudulently for million-dollar homes, authorities alleged.
During a 2-1/2-year probe, undercover detectives ordered escorts who worked for Elite Entertainment to hotel rooms in several locations and arrested them after money was exchanged for the promise of sex.
Authorities also seized about 15 computers and $5 million in unspecified assets. Officials said the investigation was continuing and that more arrests were likely.
The suspects include Benmoshe's wife, Melanie Ann Smith, 24, and Russian nationals Moti M. Vintrov, 33, and Eliran Vintrov, 28, plus their spouses.
Bail amounts were set from $25,000 to $1.5 million, according to court records.
Arraignment was scheduled for August 21.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/08/15/pr....ap/index.html
A two and a half year pros ution sting? Sounds kinda fishy...
"Well Chief, we need a little more time to, um, collect evidence. Oh, and since it's a sting we'll need the video equipment, too. And since we need to really look the part of a their clients can we borrow $20 for rubbers?"
That's a lot of hookers.
Wow!!
And all this time I thought that there was nothing more than mullets and meth labs out in that area!
Another example of the man, trying to hold us down.
Actually, weren't these men & women assisting in getting things up?
You usually have to pay extra for that.
Again, why is pros ution illegal?
I'm not so sure it really is. Ever browse the craigslist pages for "erotic" services?
I've also wondered exactly what goes on in those Asian Massage Parlors. All the adds seem to tout how erotic and sensual their massages are. Do people really recieve Happy endings?
I've got a client who owns a massage parlor of which I'm quite su ious.
Hook me up the phone # and I'll investigate
I thought Palm Springs was all old people
Considering the client... I don't think I really want confirmation.Hook me up the phone # and I'll investigate
Is there a liquidation sale?
$2,000?!? You could rent the whole pros ution ring in Mexico for that price. (not that I would really know)
Damn and I was calling there
Yah, I had alot of wild nights before it got busted up.
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