Spotsylvania Deputies Receive Sex Services in Prostitution Cases

Washington Post ^ | Monday, February 13, 2006 | Tom Jackman

[Tunehead54]

They enter the massage parlors as undercover detectives. They leave as satisfied customers.

In Spotsylvania County, as part of a campaign by the sheriff's office to root out prostitution in the massage parlor business, detectives have been receiving sexual services from "masseuses." During several visits to Moon Spa on Plank Road last month, detectives allowed women to perform sexual acts on them on four occasions and once left a $350 tip, according to court papers.

Spotsylvania Sheriff Howard D. Smith said that the practice is not new and that only unmarried detectives are assigned to such cases. Most prostitutes are careful not to say anything incriminating, so sexual contact is necessary, he said.

"If I thought we could get the conviction without that, we wouldn't allow it," Smith said. "If you want to make them, this has to be done."

But numerous police and legal experts said they were not aware of any law enforcement agency in the Washington region, or the country, that allows sexual contact in prostitution investigations. Police should not break the law to enforce it, they said.

"It's insane," said Charles J. Key Sr., a retired Baltimore police lieutenant who trains police officers and federal agents across the country. "If you allow officers to go through with the act, they've violated the law. You don't get an exception for participating in a violation of law."

[Tunehead54]

Happy Valentines Day! Unbelievable! ;-)

[Texas dog]

I knew someone who was on a jury once in Dallas, for a case where the police arrested a woman in a strip joint for 'improper contact' with the officer.

Of course, to convince the woman they weren't cops, the undercover officers were drinking heavily.

The question arose as to whether or not the officer was so sloshed that he couldn't recognize the girl, so his partner was questioned as to how drunk he was.

The answer: "well, he could still stand..."

Our tax dollars at work.

[YOUGOTIT]

And why are they not guilty of whatever? If they catch someone else doing this they are arrested and their names published so what is the difference? NONE

[lesser_satan]

ping

[mtbopfuyn]

Officer to wife, "But, but sweetheart, I was just following orders!"

[Sax]

"Bob's satisfaction with his job on the force increased tremendously when he began participation in undercover sting operations. First the massage palor, then the weed ring, the Cuban cigar smugglers, and finally off to the "2 Fast 2 Furious midnight racing club" sting. It was the best of times. Bob's justified law breaking for the greater good had lowered his stress levels tremendously."

[Tunehead54]

I don't really know who to ping on this subject but your list seems to have a lot of the usual suspects. I leave it to your discretion.

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;-)

[Tunehead54]

Our tax dollars at work.

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Aside from getting drunk on the job they were likely "handing" out big tips to get the gals to cross the line. I'd rather they were out looking for criminals rather than creating "crimes". ;-(

[Tunehead54]

And why are they not guilty of whatever?

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You got it! Right after testifying under oath they should have been arrested or even arrested themselves! ;-)

[Tunehead54]

"But, but sweetheart, I was just following orders!"

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Didn't work at Nuremburg - I'm betting it wouldn't work at home! ;-)

To be fair the chief did say they only assigned umarried cops to the "detail" ...

[CATravelAgent]

"and once left a $350 tip"

Lessee, $350 is about 15% of $2,300. WTF did he buy?

[Tunehead54]

Just damn ping! You know what to do ...

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;-)

[Tunehead54]

Lessee, $350 is about 15% of $2,300. WTF did he buy?

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Relax! Who cares? When its taxpayer's money you can afford to be a big tipper!

[andy58-in-nh]

Howdy, Sherriff! Why don't you come in and loosen your bullets....

[Tunehead54]

LOL! or " 'Scuse me while I whip this out!"

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;-)

[Tunehead54]

"Normally, there is a conversation where you agree what the sexual act is going to be and what the price is going to be," Horan said. He noted that such a negotiation isn't too difficult because "there aren't a lot of Phi Beta Kappas in that field."

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... the other reason I thought about you! ;-)

[Tunehead54]

Good work if you can get it!

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;-)

[Tunehead54]

Your jokes, puns, and great graphics are needed over here!

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BTW - you're not on a new ping list but you all have a common connection (and having been raised correctly I will not bring it up in polite society). ;-)

< /Ping >

[Enterprise]

Don't tell me - this is an official BANG list?

[Enterprise]

Honest Sheriff, I just wanted to cop a feel, and I ended up feeling a cop. It was an honest mistake.