I did a thorough read of the Classy DC
indictment and created this list of issues that seem significant to
the the counts charged. Some of the issues are ridiculous – the
use of email and telephones, for example. Okay, I'll be blunt here:
The entire indictment is absurd, but then the grand jury in
Alexandria, Virginia will quickly indict a ham sandwich if
prosecutors place it on the agenda.
According to an unknown (and strange) party that
contacted me a couple of nights ago wanting specific advice
concerning opening an escort service in DC, MD, and VA, these people
were in business since 2007 and the only reason for this indictment
is that “violence is involved”. Is the party “Witness A” or
another co-operating witness? I think so and from the wording of her
questions, I also believe she's attempting to drag me into the
fiasco.
Note to that party: Honey,
people used to try to set me up on a weekly, or at least monthly,
basis and this continued for years - too many years and obviously rages on. You just ain't good enough. I can
usually smell bullshit a mile away as should be crystal clear by my
responses. Try it again and I'll publish your emails for all to read,
with the tracing info. It is clear that you did not read my Blueprint
book by the questions that you asked. I will write and publish any
flippin' books I want. I have a clear understanding of my protections
under the First Amendment – feel free to pass that message on.
According to info found in WHOIS for
the Classy DC Escorts website, it was created in January of 2006, but
the feds may not have noticed them until 2007, and didn't start any
investigation until June of 2009:
domain: classydcescorts.com
created:
04-Jan-2006
last-changed: 04-Jan-2012
registration-expiration:
04-Jan-2013
Without considering specifics, I also
take issue with the firearm crap. It sounds like this guy was
ripped-off and became angry – his mistake; however, it's also based
on the word of the parties that did the ripping. We do have a Second
Amendment in the US and non-felon citizens are entitled to own a gun.
There are processes in place to obtain a concealed weapons permit and
I must wonder if the defendant's only real mistake was the lack of
one. Escort business owners can be vulnerable to rip-offs. Having
stated that, I acknowledge that no matter the amount of money at
stake, one must walk away. It sucks, but it is how it is.
A major issue that I have is with the
inclusion of the woman (Churchill) that did image or photo crops and
altering for the website is that it seems this was her only
connection to the operation. I suppose that we must assume the feds
have her on tape acknowledging that she understood the images were of
prostitutes that should be disguised – flippin' far-fetched if you
ask me. Since when is something like this criminal, no matter what
the circumstances?
The Indictment Notes
Also connected: DMV Indies, Prime DC,
and 305 Playmates.
“Multiple facilities of interstate
commerce” - including Internet website, electronic mail (email),
cellular phones, automobiles that traveled on interstate highways,
automated bank teller machines (ATM), Federal Express, PayPal,
Moneygram, and Green Dot prepaid value-added cards.
Had ads on EROS and Backpage.
Concealed the true identity of
prostitutes from LE and “johns” by directing prostitutes to
choose a “working name”. (Duh – the escorts have a right to
privacy)
One defendant altered or digitally
enhanced photos for the company website. (Churchill)
Would verify “johns” by asking them
to send a blank email from their employer's account. (easily
bypassed, as is now obvious)
Kept a computerized calendar for
appointments and contact information for many of the “johns”.
Made airline flight, Amtrack, and hotel
reservations for the prostitutes.
UCC-1 was a driver that picked-up
prostitutes at airports and Amtrack and transported to hotels in the
DC area.
“Johns” paid cash. (that was
intelligent)
Prostitutes kept 60% of collected money
plus tips, but paid approximately 50% of travel and hotel costs.
(fair business practice and more fair than most)
Agency collected from prostitutes on a
daily basis and reports of money owed and collected were emailed to
owner. Agency was paid in cash and on occasion Green Dot by
prostitutes.
Mann Act and Travel Act violations.
(that interstate crap will drag you down every time)
A part of the conspiracy that
defendants made and received interstate telephone calls and
electronic communications. (conspiracy to create income and conduct
business)
Used Green Dot and Moneygram for
interstate transportation of prostitution proceeds. (never advisable)
Paid Churchill (for image altering
services) using PayPal – an UCC and defendants. ($60 in one case,
$120 on another, and $200 on another) – (This poor woman has been
dragged into a federal prosecution over that amount of money)
Deposits made to various defendants'
personal bank accounts and several business accounts. (use of
personal accounts a serious mistake)
UCC-1 instructed to deposit
prostitution proceeds directly to a defendant's account on various
occasions. (the driver made business deposits for the owner – never
have a driver)
In September 2009, a defendant
“brandished a firearm” and threatened a former Classy prostitute
(Witness A). (You must wonder what she did to provoke such an action)
Emailed flight info to a woman that had
previously responded to ad soliciting prostitutes. (or did those ads
solicit escorts?)
In June of 2010, Witness B traveled
from Houston to DCA to engage in sexual activity for money with
“johns” on behalf of Classy. (we should expect that this is taped
and not just the word of a busted hooker)
September 2010 a defendant assaulted
UCC-1 and brandished a firearm during the beating. (We must wonder what provoked such an action)
January 21, 2011, Witness B traveled to
the Eastern District of VA to engage in sexual activity with “johns”
on behalf of Classy. (again, better have a tape to back that one up)
These notes are just my initial
thoughts, but I do not see much to prosecute in this case. However,
as with 95% of federal prosecutions, I suspect that the defendants
will take plea deals. Time will tell.
Edit on 19 March 2012 @5pm EST: I have added several documents to the Updates page of my website. Check the Updates page weekly for additional documents. The Updates page is found here: Updates
One document in particular that is interesting: Asuen Discovery Agreement Order 9 March 2012
