Ypsilanti [Detroit] Man Charged In School-Girl Prostitution Ring [Pimpin' teen girls]

www.clickondetroit.com ^ | June 5, 2003 | none given

[twas]

A 30-year-old Ypsilanti man is accused of running a small prostitution ring with girls as young as 13.

Jesse Swanson, 30, was charged Thursday with six counts of prostitution -- pandering, accepting and transporting. He pleaded innocent to each.

Police said Swanson arranged prostitution jobs for at least two Ypsilanti High School freshman, set prices, drove them to and from appointments and took half the money they were given. He also threatened to harm the girls if they told anyone of the sex acts, according to police.

Swanson apparently kept a notebook that described the ways in which the girls should respect him, Local 4 reported.

"I was extremely surprised," Ypsilanti High School Principal Eric Graves told Local 4. "We thought there might be something inappropriate going on, but never anything like this."

Officials at Ypsilanti High School conducted an investigation into the behavior of three female students, all under age 16, who had a pattern of unexcused absence. The school found that the teens were apparently involved in prostitution activity, Local 4 reported.

Ypsilanti police took over the criminal investigation and arrested Swanson Wednesday night at his grandmother's cafe, where he worked.

Relatives of Swanson who attended Thursday's arraignment said the allegations against him are false.

"All the allegations are totally wrong ... my uncle is not a pimp," said Regina Cheeks, the suspect's niece.

Police are conducting interviews with students at Ypsilanti High to determine if others took part in the prostitution ring, Local 4 reported.

Social workers were reportedly at the school to talk with the girls believed to be involved. Some have agreed to return to school, but others have said they will stay at home.

Swanson is being held in Washtenaw County Jail on a $250,000 bond. His next court appearance is set for June 17.

[Rodsomnia]

All the allegations are totally wrong ... my uncle is not a pimp," said Regina Cheeks, the suspect's niece

[Only1choice____Freedom]

Honest Mama, it's babysitting money.

A couple of thousands?

Mama, they are big babies!

[cardinal4]

Social workers were reportedly at the school to talk with the girls believed to be involved. Some have agreed to return to school, but others have said they will stay at home.

Social workers?? They are part of the problem.

[No Truce With Kings]

When I was growing up in Ann Arbor we used to refer to the "Y" city as Ypsitucky.

[stainlessbanner]

arrested Swanson Wednesday night at his grandmother's cafe, where he worked.

Wonder if granny knew about this?

[ASA Vet]

On this side of the state we refer to anything east of Lowell, as "Detroit."

;o)

[Chemist_Geek]

How in the world did this guy manage to talk two girls into sex with other people? It's hard enough to talk one girl into sex with the talker!

Sheesh... It boggles the mind. What were these girls thinking? It's not as if he raped them by main force...

[Sonny M]

It's not as if he raped them by main force...

I don't know the exact circumstances of this case, but I do know that some gangs, including some here in NY, force girls to become prostitutes through threats of violence. A 13 year old girl is easier to scare then somone who is older, its possible he probably lured them in at first with gifts and presents and a little talking, and then might have turned and use threats against them, or saying he would hurt there families if they didn't do what he said.

Again I don't know how he worked it, but a little charm, and the use of violence, rape, and threats can make and or keep a girl a prostitute, the shame factor is also involved and girls as young as 13 are alot easier to influence and manipulate and scare. I highly doubt he worked alone.

[Atchafalaya]

I'm not surprised; the family of the serial killer Derric Lee is stating for the record that Derric is innocent; that there is no way he could be guilty of any of the killings, DNA matches be damned. You wonder what load of rocks they've been hiding under?

[mikeb704]

This is just about sex. Time to move on.

[Owen]

You know, there's a good chance this guy is innocent. Why keep that job at the cafe with that kind of cash flow?

[Incorrigible]

[oceanperch]

Did I miss how much he was charging in the article?


If not, for all we know it could of been as low a $200 a trick.

[Bigg Red]

It's hard enough to talk one girl into sex with the talker!


Not these days, unfortuately.

[Bigg Red]

unfortuately = unfortunately.
.

[Free_at_last_-2001]

How in the world did this guy manage to talk two girls into sex with other people? one word Chemist_Geek - Drugs!

[JohnnyZ]

Swanson apparently kept a notebook that described the ways in which the girls should respect him, Local 4 reported.

Everyone has their favorite quote. This one's mine.