In the north of Boston city of Salem, this is considered a very scary month. All kinds of horrors are building up toward the holiday of Halloween. There are goblins, vampires, ghosts and the like. It is not all fun and games, though. Police must be ever-watchful for the true monsters that plague many cities and prey on its residents. Fortunately, the police department in Salem are always up to the task. The threat to civilization about which I speak, of course, is the prostitute. And now, the good folks of Salem, famous for its past witchtrials, can sleep alittle more soundly now that one woman’s operation has been closed down and her liberty put into the hands of a criminal defense attorney.
Lisa A., 46, of Salem (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) is that alleged scurge.
You see, the Defendant was arrested following a sting by Salem police. By brilliantly cruising the internet, they found the Defendant’s website which contained photos in various poses and offered customers “the complete girlfriend experience,” with packages that cost up to $3,000 for a weekend. She was also, according to police and the Web site, offering a “recession special,” knocking $100 off her regular $300-an-hour rate.
Ever mindful of their duty to keep the city streets safe, if not save money for the Commonwealth, they took action.
An expertly trained undercover officer took on the assignment. Despite the bone chilling words on the website claiming, “When we’re together you are taking a short vacation into ecstasy, and completely away from your familiar routines. Rest assured that our time together will be fulfilling and a wonderful experience for both of us,” he courageously made a date with her.
The Undercover officer later explained, “I met her at the apartment, she was in a bra and thong and sexy nylons, everything’s black.” Apparently, he recognized immediately that she was the target of the sting operation. Apparently, they talked for a couple of minutes and made an agreement for sex for $200 for an hour, the going recession special.
In court, one might have expected to see a woman of great wealth. After all, these blights on humanity who take advantage of us weak and simpering men are known to be taking all our money as the wages of sin. Apparently, though, this was not the case. The Defendant was found to be indigent by the probation department and therefore qualified for a court-appointed attorney.
Of course, those expecting to see great wealth were not the only one surprised. The Defendant was rather taken aback when she came into court on her own accord only to be handcuffed and put into custody. While the police did not seek bail based on the sex-threat claims, the court was not so sure she wasn’t a flight risk. He decided to require a $1,000 personal surety bond. This means that she did not have to post any money now, but if she fails to appear in the future, she could face having to pay that sum to the court.
Attorney Sam’s Take:
Apparently, society is at risk again because the Defendant has joined with all the other creatures of the night as I write this posting.
Over the past year, I have been rather clear about my views on prostitution and the intrepid sting operations which seek to rip sex practicioners out of the apartments and websites and back into the streets where the lawmakers apparently seem to want them.
Despite my personal beliefs, however, prostitution is still a crime in the Commonwealth. While jail is often not imposed the first few times such an arrest is made, it can be the result shortly thereafter. In fact, it is not uncommon for a prostitute to be sentenced to probation. Of course, if she is arrested while on that probation, regardless of the result, she faces instant incarceration because the arrest itself is violation of probation.
Chapter 272, Section 53A states:
Whoever engages, agrees to engage, or offers to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee, or whoever pays, agrees to pay, or offers to pay another person to engage in sexual conduct, or to agree to engage in sexual conduct with another natural person, shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than $500 or by both such imprisonment and fine, whether such sexual conduct occurs or not.
The Defendant is also charged with Using a Building for Prostitution . This is a felony which is punishable for up to three years in prison.
“So…what are you telling us Sam, that a prostitute who strolls the streets looking for johns is looking at only one year while one who is a call girl and operating from an apartment is looking at three years?”
So it would seem. Of course, the latter being a felony brings other little goodies to the sex worker’s life. When one is convicted of a felony, it can greatly inhibit a person’s future in terms of rights (convicted felons lose certain rights most of us enjoy) and possible future employment (most employers are going to at least ask if you have ever been convicted of a felony).
So, what have we learned during this month celebrating the horrors of monsterdom?
If you are a prostitute, you are apparently a very real threat against society and so law enforcement is looking for you…particularly if you conduct your business behind closed doors.
The more important message is the usual one. Any crime, even if it is seen as a victimless one by many of us, is a serious crime if you are the one being accused of it. It can easily mean an end to your future dreams and even incarceration for a period of years.
It must therefore be taken very seriously. If you are being charged with a crime, you want to find experienced counsel to represent and advise you. If you are interested in speaking to me about such a matter, please feel free to call me at (617) 206-1942.
For the full articles upon which today’s blog is based, go to http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_288235655.html and http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_289211616.html/resources_printstory