State v. Ms. S (DMC No. 13490) – Felony Illegal Control of an Enterprise/ RICO & Felony Conspiracy – Reduced to Misdemeanor Facilitation with Zero Days in Jail – Maricopa County Superior Court (Case No. CR2011-007595).
The Phoenix Police Department had received information that a place known as the “Phoenix Temple Goddess” was running an Illegal Enterprise as a House of Prostitution. A six month long investigation ensued in which they found there was numerous reviews posted on “The Exotic Review” (TER). That particular website purportedly detailed specific sex acts performed by employees of the temple in exchange for money. The Phoenix Police Department then deployed three female Undercover Detectives to go to the temple in order to secure employment.
The Undercover Officers were told that a “gatekeeper” for the Temple would take a “donation” in order for them to perform “naked life coaching.” They were also to be known as “healers” and “practitioners.” They were then given a handbook that showed that the donation amounts would range from $125 for a half hour, up to $804 for a 4 hour session. It also specified what percentage of the money would go to the Temple, and what percentage would go to the “Practitioner.” After that point, an indictment was handed down against multiple codefendants, and Ms. S was arrested for being one of the Practitioners.
We became involved in the case and we immediately discovered that we would have to reduce the case to a misdemeanor, otherwise our client would be deported to Canada, and she would not be allowed back into the United States. This has to do with the immigration rules as her charges were regarded as a crime of “moral turpitude.” We ultimately were able to show the Prosecutor that there was no direct evidence that Ms. S engaged in any sexual activity. In addition, she would be more useful as a witness for the Prosecution, as opposed to just being regarded as a defendant. Ultimately, the Prosecutor agreed to extend an offer to a misdemeanor of Facilitation which included Probation and Zero Days in Jail. Ms. S was allowed to remain in the country, and she has no Felony convictions on her record.