Website was just seized by the police. Anyone have any more info on this?
I always though that they might get away with their business by only speaking korean with the escorts, making it hard to crack their identity. However, with a paper trail of rented apartments and collecting money from the escorts, they probably were easy to track down.
Interesting that they were seized by the feds and not a state or local police authority. Perhaps they had a chain of escort sites across multiple cities.
Leave us hobbyists alone!
Three individuals were arrested by the Feds for allegedly helping to operate a high-end brothel network in MA and VA. More details coming at a press conference at the Federal Courthouse in Boston today.
It's absurd that this activity isn't decriminalized, taxed, workers free to make their own employment choices, and consumers allowed the right to pursue consensual personal services. Let the marketplace decide their economic value and their place in society not the government or organized religion. Unfortunately, that will never happen in this religiously puritanical and overly criminalized county.
-- Modified on 11/8/2023 5:56:21 AM
As the prophet Carlin said, "Selling is legal, fucking is legal, so why isn't selling fucking legal?"
I'm surprised it took this long. Boston has numerous past kgirl agencies that got busted. Perhaps best to not risk it with the inevitable replacements that have and will pop up.
This is the best site for info, especially since it has the full affidavit attached. Which is chokful of info and even has dl pics.
I always read these investigation docs to get an insight on how they conduct the investigation.
Something that struck me skimming thru the doc - they interviewed twenty buyers. Id hope (well I don't actually wish they were) that all of them were actually arrested because if they talked to Leo's just out of fear, smh.
They even instructed some dude to make an appointment and cancel it last minute.
I don’t think they were arresting them. The document notes they were tracking movements of guys going into the target apartments and leaving after an hour, then approaching them.
The investigation started when a defendant about to be sentenced on federal charges volunteered info on BTT in exchange for a lighter sentence.
Yea and so when they were approached - hopefully not while the clients were in a motor vehicle - they should never have talked to the cops. In California no one even has to identify themselves to cops if they aren't under arrest.
If the buyers are offered immunity for the testimony they don't really have much of an alternative but testify in front of a grand jury. From what I have been told a similar thing happened in the Emperor's Club VIP case of Elliot Spitzer fame. Workers and Clients are given immunity to testify against the managers and owners.
wonder if LE will go after clients and or publish names and numbers?
That'll be a lot of tax payer money wasted handing out MISDEMEANORS
Probably best to stay away or proceed with extreme caution w/ MAAngels. They can’t be far from either shutting down or getting busted as well.
http://www.maangels.net/ is down, but not showing the “seized” banner that displays when one visits http://bostontopten10.com
I had a feeling ever since BAD went down that I wasn't gonna dip my toes in BTT -- their MO were literally the same. Glad my intuition was right.
Probably had BTT on their radar for awhile and were only waiting on some high profile clients to drop in before they made the catch. Same shit different day.
Wow. I think it is the same that Feds investigated Chloe and Red.
CNN posted a link to the Court Affidavit.
It made National headlines
This is a big deal……
Not seized but gone.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24136515-affidavit-in-brothel-ring-case
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/08/politics/high-end-brothel-network-arrests/index.html
Names, dates, driver's licenses, credit cards, employment records, job titles.
Anyone who's willing to provide that much personal info is INSANE.
It also referenced they operated multiple websites and that the investigation into the hobbyists was ongoing. States include MA, VA, and CA.
I almost took the plunge...I'm glad in this case that I am a procrastinator! I loved reading all of the great reviews.
Since CC was busted.. i haven't worked with any agency.
It's only a matter of time. Low hanging fruit for LEO.
If I were approached by a cop on the way out:
1) I could refuse to identify myself, but that could cause some nasty behavior by the cops
2) I would tell them I couldn't talk to them until I spoke to my lawyer. They would probably move on to low hanging fruit rather than wait for a call from my lawyer, who might conveniently be away on vacation!
I heard this morning on CNN that one of the things that Korean girls did was to spy on America with their military and government clients with top secret clearance.
I'm thinking... the girls must've been transferring top secret info to their relatives in North Korea which would forward it over. I could just picture Putin or Xi getting the top secret BTT folder dropped on their desk and exclaiming "Aha America! I got you now!' lmao.
This is getting too absurd to be real. I think we should just all stop paying taxes. All of us, together, like going on strike lmao
i think you may have misunderstood CNN. I heard them say that LE is afraid some of the girls MIGHT black mail the men to get government secrets. They also mentioned the girls being COERCED. This is all bullshit aimed at keeping people thinking their all coerced because most americans believe this bs.
When is the last time any of you were black mailed or attempted black mail by an escort that has been reviewed
That may be, but they were talking of possible charges of espionage so... absurd you know. CherryDD uses her DDs to get all you know of Los Alamos. I mean... yeah.
Blackmailed not too long ago frankly.. by a well reviewed escort.. now labeled as a rip off
So.. it does happen
Quoting a news article
"But who those sex buyers were remained a mystery on Thursday. Federal authorities were mum on the subject at the news conference, saying that any arrests for the purchase of sex would happen at the state level — the three people charged this week are accused of violating federal sex trafficking law."
Fed's are basically punting to the state knowing full well they don't arrest people for solicitation in MA. You get a court summons to the Magistrate if they have anything on you. So no, no one is going to be walking up to your house or workplace and haul you away in cuffs. You're going to get something in the mail if at all. Solicitation charges are hard to convict in MA because the burden of proof is so high and on the state to make the case.
Don't they also have to catch you in the act?
only see well reviewed and legit independent providers - and support them regularly! best times I have had in the hobby are with those i saw regularly - really got to know them, no trafficking exposure, and its all good....everyone is happy
Looks like KGFE is scared as their website is locked down
And MAANGELS. I hope they return in some form or another.
Due to this event, I would like to address some concerns and issues. I know some of you might be afraid to get back into seeing a provider or a provider from an agency.
Boston International came into existence -20years ago to be exact. Before that I've had my share of run-ins with the law, mainly due to hosting in an apartment with four girls working at a time, leading to a lot of foot traffic. That's what got me into trouble. I was also caught picking up money from someone while posting on Craigslist.
Did those experiences make me smarter than other agencies? Not necessarily, but they did teach me valuable lessons about running a business. I learnt what not to do and how to avoid making the same mistakes. Now that I am older, a happily married woman and a mother, safety has become my top priority, both for my family and for my clients.
I have put several measures in place to ensure our safety. Our website is host outside of the US. Those of you that knows me, knows that I am not in the US. And I don't allow the girls to meet each other to avoid drama and I move them every 2 to 3 days. I use a hosting company outside of US jurisdiction and the email has been changed. My phone line is VOIP, and I always use a VPN, and I don't keep a black book. And also my phone staff are not in the US.
What can you expect from this agency? Privacy and trust.
I promise to continue to provide the excellent service that you have come to expect from me and my staff.
Thank you for being our loyal customers. We look forward to serving you for many more years to come.
I noticed in the television news reports that they also showed the P411 website. Should P411 members be concerned?
They are outside of the jurisdiction of the US
P411 has been known to cooperate with LE in the past. And there is little to no doubt that those cooperating are giving up their credentials in exchange for freedom. I would not be surprised if providers located or touring the NE Corridor who allow P411 as the sole method for screening to either 1) stop using it entirely for a while or 2) require more stringent screening for a long while.
So I am wondering, how has BI managed to never get busted?
Here are the measures I implemented to protect my agency:
*Non-physical location: avoid having a fixed location like an apartment, which can make you an easy target.
*Website hosted outside the US: I enhance privacy and reduce potential legal complications.
*To minimize drama and conflicts, I have made it a policy for the girls in my agency not to meet each other.
*Regular relocation: Moving the girls every 2 to 3 days
*Email and phone number changes: I changed my contact details multiple times already,
*VOIP phone line and VPN: By utilizing a VOIP phone line and always connecting through a VPN,
*Absence of data record: No data are kept
*International phone staff: My phone staff is based outside the US, which reduces risk and potential legal issues.
By implementing these measures, I prioritize the safety of my agency, the clients, and staff, demonstrating a proactive approach to security.
It looks like they will onlt be going against those that they caught after escort visits. I don't think they can publish the whole list, since they have no proof that the other clients (like me) visited and partook of their services.
On the other hand, someone pointed out that in MA a client cannot be charged unless they are caught in the act. Maybe there are other charges they can bring.
Since I will be only one out of 100s who might be doxed, and since I am not a high ranking goverment official or military officer, I think (hope) it will not cause me excessive torment.
Stop doom and glooming - agency busts happen and you will be fine if you don’t say anything
Just hoping they don't publicize the entire "Johns" list with photo's of ID's, etc... That would cause some serious issues for a lot of us...
If one never used either of those agencies, and in fact has never worked with an agency, there is no reason to worry about any of this personally, right? Unfortunately I'm a naturally anxious person...even though I've never seen anyone in Boston nor Tyson's Corner.
The patrons of BTT might be a little nervous right now but it's unlikely even they have criminal exposure. You have nothing to worry about unless the Thought Police are working the case. LOL.
Oh yea, if I'd be you I'd be concerned big time! I used them so I'm not worried at all. Nothing is going to happen to me but if you haven't used BTT then...
1. FEDs know that you haven't used them so now they're going to double their efforts to get you.
2. The Korean mafia never forgets a slight. You used other agencies but BTT wasn't good enough for you. That doesn't sound good. I'd be concerned. When list comes out and you're not on it dude you just might be in trouble.
https://youtu.be/7YvAYIJSSZY?si=1wXOuzMZ0Hq96EvM&t=53
There was another smaller Asian Escort site that immediately closed up shop here as well: maangels.net . Sigh. It may be the case that the feds knew about BostonTop10 for longer than they let on but basically kept it in their back pocket. When you need to make a splash and make it look like you're doing your job, you bust the site and make it appear like you're out there fighting crime. I can't prove that but it would explain why they were able to operate for so many years before anything happened.
Mass & Cass, Housing Crisis, Gun Violence, Drug Addiction Crisis... and this is what the government puts effort and money into. Al Capone was convicted and served time for tax evasion but no other crime.
But he didn't do anything but effed up on his tax returns. The rest are just legends lol
Maybe there are legends about Al cOpone, but Al cApone was Public Enemy No.1 for good reasons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Capone
But he didn't do anything but effed up on his tax returns. The rest are just legends lol
Another version of Valentine's Day, Chicago 1929 ... Some Like It Hot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTEdWlZwQIY
A federal Homeland Security Investigations task force and the federal Boston US attorney's office are seeking state criminal charges against 28 men accused of buying sex from the now busted BTT agency. These individuals will be summoned to Cambridge District Court for hearings before a magistrate on whether there's probable cause to support criminal charges. If so, criminal referrals will be made to the Massachusetts Middlesex County district attorney's office. What a nightmare for these unfortunate individuals and what a waste of precious judicial resources.
Just to clarify these referrals are technically being done under the auspices of the Cambridge Police Department so blame them as much as the Federal US Attorney's Office.
There is additional reporting on this unfolding story. Officials at the Cambridge District Court have said that each of the 28 individuals will receive a summons to appear before a clerk magistrate for a private "show cause" hearing. Such hearings are typically closed to the public, however state law does allow petition for public access if the circumstances involve "special public significance" and the magistrate rules that legitimate public interest outweighs the accused's right of privacy. According to the reporting if the magistrate finds probable cause and approves the charges, then the person(s) would be arranged and the case would become public. What a nightmare.
According to the clerk magistrate of the Cambridge District Court, closed-door hearings to determine whether to charge 28 individuals accused of paying for sex will be open to the media. The nightmare continues.
The last update I read here said that the Magistrate ruled that the probable cause hearings could be public, effectively outing the 28 mongers mentioned in the federal indictment. Any word on when those hearings are scheduled?
Boston Globe and other outlets petitioned for the show cause hearings to be public...
Stay tuned. The magistrate will decide if there's probable cause to refer these matters to the Middlesex County DA for prosecution. Probable cause means it's more likely than not that a crime has been committed. Hopefully there's nothing inculpatory in the text messages from the 28 individuals or in any written or verbal statements they may have made to LE. Yet another reminder of why you should never put anything incriminating in a text message or e-mail or, under any circumstances, talk to LE.
So have the 28 people been notified yet?
It's unclear if the notification process has started. If it hasn't, it will begin soon.
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/probable-cause-hearings-announced-for-alleged-clients-in-mass-brothel-bust-case/3237248/
Dates set, for those 28 people, make sure you have a lawyer no matter what. Best of luck.
I hope after these 28, it’ll all die down and just go away.
I believe the Governor will continue to pursue the agencies as much as possible. She did a small victory lap when she busted Chloe’s operation, several years ago when she was the AG. These type of busts make for candidates to brag about being tough on crime without actually focusing on real criminal problems.
What happened to the Chloe John’s? We’re there many that got prosecuted?
Clerk magistrates hearings allow for both defense lawyers and witnesses(such as say the actual providers working for Boston Top Ten). A savvy defense lawyer could make this a real circus for the police.
I think it's unlikely any BTT models will testify. I think the 'probable cause' case will hinge on testimony from law enforcement that includes incriminating text messages between BTT and clients and inculpatory statements made by clients to police. I think clients who made incriminating statements to law enforcement or to BTT via text will be the ones who are charged and convicted.
Here is a link to the ruling from the Clerk Magistrate in Cambridge.
https://www.nefac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wbur-motion-for-access.pdf
While I am not a lawyer I suspect one initial avenue for any of the alleged defendants and there lawyers is to appeal the clerk magistrate's ruling opening the hearings to the public(I am not fully sure this ruling can be appealed but I think it can). If this is the case at a minimum it could delay the whole process for quite a while.
I still question whether or not the US Attorney's Office(which doesn't have direct jurisdiction over state criminal law) has not made an unwise decision essentially trying to publicly browbeat the Middlesex DA into taking dozens of what are basically misdemeanor cases to trial. I think most in Boston legal circles remember the Bob Kraft case in Florida which basically blew up in the face the of the local prosecutors and police who brought it. There are all sorts of unpredictable outcomes if the cases actually go to trial(typically a lot of clerk magistrate hearings end up in favor of the alleged defendant although obviously in this case the fact they are in public makes that somewhat less likely) up to and including the state criminal statute in question being put to a constitutional challenge.
I agree. I think the goal of the AUSA and HSI is to punish the clients if for no other reason than as a deterrent to others. If the District Court clerk magistrate finds sufficient probable cause with some or all of the 28 individuals, there will be public pressure on the Midlesex DA to prosecute these misdemeanors. Hopefully the DA's office will have more serious crimes to pursue than these trivial offenses.
Just goes to show you the value of not incriminating yourself if you get stopped by LE.
If I was to guess. 28 People (at least, I'm sure more got stopped by were smart about keeping quiet) got stopped by LE, panicked when LE dropped the line of 'We know why you are here, so don't lie to us'. Proceeded to incriminate themselves and show their phones linking them to solicitation.
Another scenario is LE stopped people took down their information and called them up the next day and pulled the 'we would like you to come down to the station for a quick conversation' and proceeded to voluntarily stop by the station and confess.
At that point it's a cake walk for any investigator to fill out a Complaint Form along with the Police Report stating that the alleged person committed a crime due to an admission of guilt even though the offense wasn't witnessed by the officer.
Exactly right. Remember this was a Homeland Security Investigations task force. An HSI officer could easily trick a client into confessing and disclosing his text messages because HSI "doesn't care" about prostitution ( that's a state crime after all ) because all HSI cares about is human trafficking and money laundering. Don't be fooled.
Guy, never admit to a crime, never voluntarily surrender your phone, or say anything to law enforcement - you have the right to remain silent and the right to decline a search of your property. All they have at that point is reasonable suspicion and not probable cause. In fact in Massachusetts if you are stopped on the street by police you are not even required to disclose your name unless you are placed under arrest. Just tell the officer you have nothing to say and ask if you are free to go.
I researched a little and it seems that BTT used the canned texts for all the guys listing all the services and their fee's. So if the guy texted back "Ok, BBFS, $400..got it" I mean does that mean he's screwed? In MA solicitation is up to 2 1/2 years in prison and/or up to a $5 grand fine. I can't even imagine being paraded around in court on tv... wow...
In Massachusetts a misdemeanor is punishable by a sentence of no more than 2 1/2 years. However under MGL c.272 s.53A 'Engaging in sexual conduct for a fee' carries a maximum sentence of 1 year and/or a fine of $500. The essence of the law is that whoever engages or pays, agrees to engage or agrees to pay, or offers to engage or offers to pay for sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee has violated this statute. Does that hypothetical text exchange constitute an "agreement" would be an interesting legal argument. It's certainly an acknowledgement and an understanding, but at best it's a tacit agreement. I would like to hope that's not enough to convict because conviction requires guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Of course if you foolishly admittedly your quilt to law enforcement, then you have convicted yourself. You likely won't go to jail, but you will be fined and publically humiliated.
i believe the statute of limitations for charging solicitation in MA is one year, so presumably the 28 clients they're targeting were more recent customers. if someone did business with BTT back in 2022, i assume they're in the clear.
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one thing we should all keep in mind: people are routinely convicted of crimes based on nothing more than circumstantial evidence. a smoking gun isn't absolutely necessary. if prosecutors have text messages between you and a known prostitution organization arranging an appointment with a specific girl at a specific date/time for a specific donation, judges and juries are allowed to make common sensical inferences. if you followed up your appointment with a text saying, "she was great," or anything along those lines, that's evidence you followed through with appointment.
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i believe the statute of limitations for charging solicitation in MA is one year, so presumably the 28 clients they're targeting were more recent customers. if someone did business with BTT back in 2022, i assume they're in the clear.
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one thing we should all keep in mind: people are routinely convicted of crimes based on nothing more than circumstantial evidence. a smoking gun isn't absolutely necessary. if prosecutors have text messages between you and a known prostitution organization arranging an appointment with a specific girl at a specific date/time for a specific donation, judges and juries are allowed to make common sensical inferences. if you followed up your appointment with a text saying, "she was great," or anything along those lines, that's evidence you followed through with appointment.
.
The way the statute is written the act of soliciting sex for a fee is a violation regardless of whether sex took place or not. I think the text messages could be extremely problematic for a defendant depending on what specifics were exchanged. Unfortunately, because of the high-profile nature of this case, the county District Attorney's office might be more likely to pursue charges because the public spotlight is shining brightly on them. Depending on how a defendant is charged under the statute, the maximum jail penalty is either 1 year or 2 1/2 years so the stakes are high.
I wonder how many divorces and one parent households making it public would trigger basically just for the eff of it. Instead of happy families you'd get at least 3 miserable people.
I wonder what else is going on.
Wow, I thought it was only a handful. Guess I can consider myself fortunate, very sorry for those in a bind. Stay away from agency no matter what they tell us.
Our lesbian Governor(and not because she's lesbian) will pass a bill that will legalize prostitution just like weed, just like gambling. Going forward we will need all the revenue we can get while hotel rooms are getting paid for by the commonwealth. And, just like taxes going up, you'll still get the same services with no updates or upgrades to said services for an exorbitant amount. They will be your dealer, your bookee and sooner or later your pimp. I am glad that I never did the BTT gauntlet of acceptance. I did run thru a short one for one of the others but never used them. Thankfully.
You lost me on the first sentence of your rant. Guess you have dislike against lesbians among other people. Happy Holidays.
I love lesbians, they are quite enthusiastic if you know how to treat a woman.
Received a complaint from Cambridge Court to appear. I'm Really shook up.
Please help with suggestions.
Get a laywer, at this point only they can help you
It has been reported that Boston attorney Ben Urbelis is representing some of those individuals who may be charged. You may want to start with him. This is not an endorsement of him just FYI. Good luck.
-- Modified on 1/8/2024 12:39:56 PM
There are a lot of lawyers in the Boston area that, can’t hurt to make calls to multiple ones to get a sense of availability.
-- Modified on 1/10/2024 5:16:43 PM
Have been scheduled for January 18, 19, and 22 at Cambridge District Court. If the magistrate finds probable cause, the names of those individuals will be disclosed and their cases referred to the Middlesex District Attorney's office for possible criminal prosecution. Stay tuned. This is going to get ugly.
The press will be at the hearings, so the possibility of these names going public are high even in the cases where probable cause isn’t found and charges aren’t forwarded to the DA.
That type of speculation is unwarranted, unlikely, and unhelpful. Stick to the P&R board where speculation and distain for the mainstream media is currency.
-- Modified on 1/10/2024 9:44:27 AM
-- Modified on 1/10/2024 9:47:00 AM
It’s not speculation. Several local outlets won the right to be at the probable cause hearings.
We all know that the probable cause hearings are open to the public and that the press will be in attendance. However it is pure conjecture on your part that the names of individuals, where no probable cause is found, will be made public by the press. If there's no probable cause found there's no news story value in disclosing their identities. This is a very stressful time for these 28 unfortunate individuals. Let's not give them more to be anxious about.
They do read out a person's name - but beyond that, the pedigree information isn't public unless they find probable cause and those documents get processed and made public in 2/3 days.
So they may say - The Cambridge PD is seeking to bring charges against Robert Kraft.
Then your lawyer confirms the information in a manner that isn't broadcast out in the open.
Suffice it to say, there's more than one Robert Kraft in Mass. So unless the press decides to follow you home, it pretty much ends there if no Probable Cause is found
Moral of the story? Don't talk to LE, Don't Comment to the Press.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/district-court-standards-of-judicial-practice-the-complaint-procedure/download - Page 46
Correct. If there's been no arrest and no finding of probable cause there is no journalistic or societal value in publishing a name. Such individuals are not accused of wrongdoing and reporting their names would likely result in litigation against the media.
The plot thickens
https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/01/17/mass-sjc-delays-hearing-commercial-sex-ring-brothel
In reality, all this does is stop the clock. If I had to guess, the petition for access to the applications will be denied with prejudice and the hearings will be rescheduled.
Media petitioned for the exact reason I stated before - No pedigree information makes the hearings a waste of time for them. But I’m with the Clerks/Attorneys on this one, hearings are public so the public interest is served. Just because you don’t have access to the secret sauce is irrelevant.
One consequence of this action by the media is that by delaying the process it actually make it slightly less likely that any probably cause will be found in the cases and/or they ever go to arraignment and trial. Time is on the side of the defendants to the extent any of the cases rely on eyewitness testimony.
So here's what is happening. WBUR and the Boston Globe jointly petitioned the Supreme Judicial Court requesting release of the documents that identify the 28 individuals facing probable cause hearings. Presumably the media would then make those names public. Ugh. Lawyers for 13 of the 28 individuals, the clerk-magistrate of the Cambridge District Court, and the Association of Magistrates and Trial-Clerks have filed objections to disclosing those 'applications for criminal complaints' that identify the 28 individuals. Further, defense lawyers have argued to the SJC that the probable cause hearings should be kept private. As one defense attorney has opined public hearings are "All about public humiliation and shaming. I think that is wrong". I agree. The probable cause hearings are delayed until the SJC makes determinations. Let's all hope that the privacy of these unfortunate individuals is maintained at least until such time as probable cause is adjudicated. Personally, I think names should not be publicly disclosed, even if probable cause is found, until the individuals are actually arrested and formally charged and hopefully that will never happen.
-- Modified on 1/18/2024 3:40:07 AM
https://www.mass.gov/doc/trustees-of...13551/download
tl;dr - Show Cause Hearings are Public, applications are not. Now a precedent has been set that anytime a request is made for a Show Cause hearing to be public, the accused is afforded a chance to fight it.
friendly reminder that anytime you get stopped by LEO, do not talk. These 28 people most likely implicated themselves when stopped and questioned.
The plot thickens
https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/01/17/mass-sjc-delays-hearing-commercial-sex-ring-brothel
In reality, all this does is stop the clock. If I had to guess, the petition for access to the applications will be denied with prejudice and the hearings will be rescheduled.
Media petitioned for the exact reason I stated before - No pedigree information makes the hearings a waste of time for them. But I’m with the Clerks/Attorneys on this one, hearings are public so the public interest is served. Just because you don’t have access to the secret sauce is irrelevant.
is to stay away from agencies.
These agencies have targets on their backs, and it is we who get stabbed by the arrows.
Somebody on the different forum asking if any of the BTT girls got in trouble. I haven't heard anything about this. Anyone?
The same person who asked the question just posted 'I just got a text from one of maangels girls: "I heard the woman no problem". I guess that solves that.'
I guess it does.
If it was trafficking they were "rescued"!!!
-- Modified on 1/20/2024 1:58:17 AM
Correct. They will not be prosecuted. The government sees them as victims. They may be deported or they may be given a special T visa and assist in the prosecution of the traffickers. This will also place them on an accelerated path to obtaining a green card if that is their goal.
Correct. They will not be prosecuted. The government sees them as victims. They may be deported or they may be given a special T visa and assist in the prosecution of the traffickers. This will also place them on an accelerated path to obtaining a green card if that is their goal.
You can't assume that. In an number of other sex trafficking cases, the prostitutes themselves were indeed charged. Obviously that makes no sense: prosecutors claimed they were saving the women, but then charged them as criminals. But it has happened. This is something that advocates of Sex Workers often to point to when arguing the absurdity of the laws, or at least the absurdity of the application of the laws.
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If you read the press releases, law enforcement agencies will sometimes make a point of saying they don't charge the women with crimes *so long as the women agree to go into rehabilitation programs*. If they women don't agree, they are charged. It's coercive. Prosecutors are telling the so-call "victims" they either have to abandon their profession or go to jail. That's a funny way of "rescuing" people.
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Here are two examples:
https://reason.com/2016/06/27/biggest-sex-trafficking-bust-ever-for-mc/
https://reason.com/2016/02/16/kansas-sex-trafficking-victim-arrested/
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Obviously there are no guarantees or absolute certainties when it comes to these matters. Each case is unique as are the laws and criminal enforcement culture in each state. I can't speak to places like Texas and Kansas circa 2016 but in 2024 in Massachusetts the emphasis is to protect, not to criminalize, the women who are considered the victims of trafficking. I fully expect the women will not face prosecution. I wish I was as sanguine for the 28 men caught up in this legal morass.
Used to be a regular client, but stopped a good while ago, when they started offering 'BB Services'.
Good decision. While I was very tempted, I thought a high-volume, electronic record keeping agency at upscale residential locations was too visible, potentially too vulnerable, and way too risky. I guess we were both right ... or lucky.
-- Modified on 1/21/2024 12:08:53 PM
A slew of motions were filed yesterday to the SJC by attorneys for the 28 individuals facing public probable cause hearings. Let's hope these individuals' privacy rights are protected against what one lawyer described as "unwarranted humiliation and embarrassment."
Even though the complaints/summons have been sent out, I still have this overarching fear that somehow mine got sent to the wrong address or was lost by the mailman. Not that I ever want the names of those to be publicly released for reasons we’ve all discussed, I just don’t know if there’s anything until those who do get charged to be known until I breathe a true sigh of relief (for now, assuming there are no more future charges). Obviously I’m not a lawyer, but don’t know what happens and if somehow it did get lost in the mail and all of a sudden I’m not present for the hearing when it happens.
Were you stopped by HSI Agents when leaving or entering a BTT appointment?
If the answer is no, than yes, your question is stupid.
If the answer is yes, you were stopped by one of the Feds casing the apartment, and you haven’t received a summons yet, you need to hire a lawyer ASAP.
Your question is not dumb. Your anxiety level is high which is understandable. An important legal document like a notice to appear at a probable cause hearing should be delivered in person by a constable or process server, or, at the very least, via USPS registered or certified mail that requires signature upon receipt.
Just echoing what was said
If you got questioned by LE and gave up information - then you have a pretty significant risk
If you didn't - then you are at a substantially lower risk. It will never be zero until the Statute of Limitations runs out (which is 6 years) but as more time passes the less likely you're at risk.
The only advice that is worth taking from anyone at this point is to call a lawyer and ask them. Anything else is just a waste of time.
clerk/magistrate ( Sharon Shelter Casey ) to provide a factual legal basis for her decision to hold public probable cause hearings. Specifically, she has been questioned about what the public interest is in opening the hearings and how she balanced that against the privacy rights of the 28 individuals. Justice Graziano wrote that Casey made "conflicting orders" given that she cited public interest to open the hearings but that individuals' privacy rights kept the applications for complaints private. Casey has until this Friday to respond. It's always difficult to predict judicial outcomes, but I remain hopeful that the decision to open the hearings to the public will be overturned.
And all these guys that were stopped coming out of those apartments could have avoided all of this by saying “ am I. Ring detained or am I free to go”.
And always remember. In Massachusetts, if you are walking down the sidewalk, you do not have to show ID if asked. Only if you’re lawfully arrested do you have to ID. Some states require to show an ID if they have reasonable, articulable suspicion a crime has been committed, is being committed, or about to be committed. Not in Mass. They have to have you actually under arrest for a crime before you are required to ID.
Again, I don’t answer questions, am I free to go?
If they wait until you are in your car, then Massachusetts law leans towards protecting the right of persons to remain silent and to maintain their privacy, with only one notable exception. Only the drivers of vehicles are legally required to provide their names and driver's licenses to police upon request.
That’s sound advice, but my guess is the pucker factor kicks in when a federal agent flashes a badge in your face.
The best way is to avoid potential encounter. They probably won't stop you when you enter the building. But more likely they watch you enter the building, and wait when you exit the building and then stop you. If possible, try to find a different exit door. Some apartment buildings have exit door on the other side of main entrance. So if they are waiting for you to come out, and if you exit on the other side, and if your car is blocks away, they may never be able to find you.
Don't carry any ID with you when you entered the apartment. Parked at least a block away from the building so they don't know if you have a car. If possible, when leaving, try to exit using a different entrance. Many apartment complex have multiple exit doors allowing you to leave the building. Many buildings have security camera at the main entrance or elevator, but rarely has camera monitoring each apartment door. If you entered the building and exited the building using the same main entrance, most likely your activity using the door will be captured.
Always be cautious.
You bring up an excellent point that is worth repeating. If you enter an apartment building or hotel through the main entrance and elevator exit via a stairwell and side/back door. Mask up too to hide your face. You never know who is watching.
Stop cheating on your wives and you'll have nothing to worry about. Unless they catch you actually in the act or solicitation, they have nothing, unless you are stupid enough you tell them you were having your dick sucked.
The statute is violated if you solicit sex for a fee even if sex doesn't happen. Text messages that memorialize such a request can be introduced as evidence of solicitation. Expect that defense attorneys to file motions in limine to have that evidence excluded, but if the texts are legally obtained, probative, and authenticated they can be entered into evidence.
-- Modified on 1/30/2024 5:05:31 AM
While I hear what you are saying being convicted in the public eye is more damaging than the actual conviction in this case.
I see them as equally undesirable outcomes. So unnecessary. All because we live in a puritanical country. This is a non-issue in most of the world.
will be open to the public according to a ruling by Justice Graziano of the SJC. That's disappointing. I don't know if an appeal to the full court is an option.
This ruling does nothing to protect the identify of the 28 individuals before probable cause is determined. It leaves the original decision of the clerk magistrate unchanged - to open the probable cause hearings to the press but to not release the actual show cause application documents. In my opinion, the public doesn't need to know anything until someone is actually charged and arrested.
14 of the 28 alleged sex buyers have filed an appeal of the decision of a single SJC justice to hold public probable cause hearings. The hearings are stayed as the court considers the appeal. State law limits a full SJC appeal to cases where the single justice may have abused his discretion in the way he crafted his decision so a full court review seems unlikely. Stay tuned and watch this space.
One could argue the he did abuse his power as there isn’t a clear need for the public to attend. The fact that the original three were not charged with human trafficking should have resulted in the hearings being closed. That deflates the narrative. The public can know when someone is charged as they always do. They know exactly what will happen to these individuals. This seems to about their 5 minutes of fame. Doesn’t matter whose lives are ruined in the process.
Just as nature abhors a vacuum, so do entrepreneurs abhor not making a buck at a the world's oldest profession. Geishastyles does do one thing that the others didn't, they stick with hotels. It makes it much harder for cops to do a stake out at a hotel, which is what kind of did in Boston Top Ten. They staked out the apartment buildings. Not nearly the traffic of a hotel. Anyway, they're the new king of the Asian hill.
Why does the level of traffic make it harder to stake out a hotel? Hotels have cameras, databases, staff who assist with surveillance. In general, k agencies will always be risky around Boston, no matter what they do. Too many past busts
They'd be outcall only.
They may have filled the void left behind by BTT but they are definitely gouging the market
as they have no competition to speak of.
I would rather go to NYC or even fly to CA for Asian ladies than pay what they are asking for nothing special service
and nothing special women
Well, Kimmy (formerly from MAAngels) is scheduled to start on Wednesday at Boston International so if things work out for her and the agency sky is the limit.
Does any know if BI is k girl friendly?
https://www.bostonintescorts.nl/portfolio/kimmy-k/
She looks very familiar and if so she’s a great get for them.
Seemed like this was on the fast track to parade the Johns in the press… all sorts of hearings and press coverage…. Now radio silent. Anyone hear anything?
The motion for public hearing was tabled. They will hear arguments in September of this year whether or not the initial hearings to establish probably cause will be public or private. I would guess that would mean maybe the hearings are scheduled by end of year, maybe early next year. Also curious what it means for future cases after the first 18 are settled or taken to court, etc. Seems like this is going into next year and maybe by then the public interest is far lower.
The case is being brought to the State Supreme Court:
"BOSTON – Elected officials, doctors and lawyers are among dozens of men fighting to keep their names private as customers of an alleged brothel. On Monday, highest court in Massachusetts will hear their case."
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/massachusetts-brothel-identities-supreme-judicial-court/
Looks like sentencing is scheduled for the leaders on December 20 according to the article. TBD as far as their customer list goes.
They couldn’t possibly release information on Contacts or customer lists, correct? I would think names would only be released if additional people are charged.
All of your questions have already been answered before in this very long and cumbersome thread. That said, here’s the short answer version.
Thank you for clarifying.
I’m actually wondering about the likelihood of releasing information on clients beyond the initial 28. It sounds like hundreds of additional potential clients were identified and passed to Middlesex DA Marian Ryan by Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s office, based on cell phone records, surveillance footage, log sheets, and more. What I was trying to ask is if this information will remain confidential through the sentencing of the big 3 and the proceedings with the 28. Sounds like yes and that information about the uncharged would only (potentially) become public if charges were filed against them.
So why did the Feds choose these 28 instead the hundreds (or thousands)? Reading the thread, it sounds like it was based on a whole bunch of factors like their connection to Cambridge (avoiding the need to handle Watertown cases in Waltham District Court with a different clerk magistrate?), the strength of the evidence, possible statements made to law enforcement coming out of the building, the prominence of certain individuals, and simple deterrence.
Also… given the fact that the Feds are no longer involved, along with the considerable resources already devoted to prosecuting these 28, doesn’t it seem unlikely that additional charges will be brought against the many other clients?
This is so incredibly cruel and unfair to the 28, given that this situation is a completely victimless crime (a misdemeanor!)