Sheriff: Officers Must Have Sex With Prostitutes For Evidence

The Indy Channel ^ | February 14, 2006 | AP

[Abathar]

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. -- Undercover sex is getting the OK from a Virginia sheriff.

Spotsylvania County Sheriff Howard Smith said he stands by the practice of allowing detectives to receive sexual services in the course of their investigations so they can catch suspects in the act.

Court documents show that four times last month, county detectives allowed women at a massage parlor to perform sex acts on them. In one case, a lawman left a $350 tip. Smith acknowledged the practice is not new.

Smith told The Washington Post that only unmarried detectives are allowed to do the under-the-covers work.

He said actual sex acts are needed to help win prostitution convictions.

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

He said most prostitutes are careful not to say anything incriminating, which makes sexual contact necessary

Several police officials and legal observers say the practice has been tried by other agencies across the country, but they knew of none that still permit sexual contact with suspects as part of prostitution investigations. But many police agencies across the country have banned sexual contact between investigators and suspects.

When police used similar tactics in the past in Montgomery County, Md., the charges ended up being dropped.

[Abathar]

It might not be as pleasant as it sounds, have you SEEN some of the girls they bust in places like that?

{shudder}

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Spotsylvania

Spotsylvania.

Isn't that where the famous college, Whatsamatta U. is located?

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

That's why they have to first shoot up with something.

Can't arrest addicts without an arm full of needle tracks, can't arrest a serial killer til you've snuffed a dozen or so yourself.

Can't arrest a thief until you've robbed a bank.

[blueminnesota]

And when the officers catch AIDS and die? Whose responsibility will that be then?

[rhombus]

It might not be as pleasant as it sounds, have you SEEN some of the girls they bust in places like that?

Well you don't think they'd take the good looking ones down do you? Well maybe they would, nevermind. ;-)

[mlc9852]

I assume only the single officers participate, right?

[expatguy]

It's a tough job but someone has to do it.

[D-Chivas]

The pay might not be so great, but the benefits sure sound exciting!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

He said actual sex acts are needed to help win prostitution convictions.

And one more thing....bullcrap.

The sex act isn't illegal. Taking money for it is. Once money changes hands for the promise of sexual favors, the arrest can be made. No other "evidence" is necessary.
Talk about horny flatfoots.

[apackof2]

I have everything now ping

[K-oneTexas]

Oh, but can you imagine the men and even the woman who would seek to qualify for a job as a deputy here! Unemployment may go down. [sarcasm off]

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

OK, how many of you men are relocating to Virginia and applying for a job?

[Proud_USA_Republican]

happy ending ping

[Fitzcarraldo]

This is lame. Hidden cameras while they service "legitimate" johns should suffice.

[peacebaby]

What?

[CMS]

Hopefully the officers don't get gohnnaherpasyphalaids out of this.

[Darksheare]

Considering the looks of some of what passes as prostitutes in some places.. convictions and arrests are going to go down.

[nickcarraway]

Somehow, I can't imagine Joe Friday going along with this.

[MortMan]

Hmmm... Johns are arrested after naming a price, but the prostitutes themselves have to get serviced first?

[ElkGroveDan]

Scrappleface?