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.

[Snardius]

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

"The acts, maam, just the acts..."

[DeFault User]

There's got to be a parrot joke in here somewhere.

[Dashing Dasher]

Larry!!!

I think you should know about this...

[brooklyn dave]

Oh c'mon---they just have to use a CONDOM--and all will be well.

[Abathar]

"Also, the sheriff said that the prostitutes were not saying anything incriminating, therefore they needed to have sexual contact to get the arrest. UH NO! If they are not saying anything incriminating then you do not arrest them until they do"

Of course they weren't, its kind of hard to talk with...Oh never mind.

[Snardius]

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

I guess that gives new meaning to the command, "Spread 'em..."

[apackof2]

Guess who we're not voting for next election.

Please, please well him why!

What does the (I) after his name mean? He's an Independent?
If so I bet he is really a Libertarian!

Spotsylvania County Howard D. Smith Sheriff (I)
540-582-7115 Fax 540-582-9448
P.O. Box 124, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
Took Office 01/01/2004
sheriff@spotsylvania.va.us

[newgeezer]

detectives allowed women at a massage parlor to perform sex acts on them.

For the last time, IT'S NOT SEX!

The Sinkmeister settled this once and for all.

[El Gran Salseron]

"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."

Laws vary from county to county, city to city and state to state so your flat statement is moot for people in other counties, cities and states.

[EASYACES]

$350 tip? She must have been really good!

[connectthedots]

Sheriff must have been getting some freebies in exchange for going after some pimp's competition.

[N. Theknow]

Obviously they will have to have intercourse since oral servicing is not sex.

[apackof2]

LOL

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

How many sheriff's deputies are going to claim they are divorced to get assigned to this detail?

[Cincinatus]

That was Moosesylvania.

[pointsal]

Sounds like the Sheriff is taking a liking to the undercover work....

[Terabitten]

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.

Ding ding ding!

[Snardius]

$350 tip? She must have been really good!

She gave good evidence...