Prostitution Rings

Prostitution rings are illegal business operations which offer sexual acts for sale.  Frequently, prostitution rings operate via internet sites or from print advertisements such as magazine or newspaper ads, where a patron does not actually meet with another person to make arrangements and payment for the sexual services.

How Prostitution Rings Work

Prostitution rings usually work with one agency functioning as a “cover” agency.  The payment for services to the agency are filtered through various bank accounts under other corporations or business entities, which make it difficult to trace back to the original “cover” agency.  Appointments for sexual services are frequently made via telephone or online with pays payable by credit card or wire transfers, so there is no in person contact with anyone to establish the business relationship.  Usually, there is one central individual, known as a “madam” or a “john” who is the ringleader, or primary figure at the center of the prostitution ring.  Some infamous prostitution rings which have been in the news in recent years include Heidi Fleiss and the Emperors Club (made famous due to its affiliation with Elliot Spitzer).

Liability and Consequences for the Prostitution Ring Leader

Liability of the prostitution ring leader may be based upon a variety of theories. These include the following crimes:

• Prostitution (the exchange of money for sexual acts)
• solicitation ( the act of directing/requesting another individual to exchange money for sexual acts)
• pandering (recruiting prostitutes for hire and soliciting customers)
• loitering (lingering without a lawful purpose)

 Criminal Penalties

Criminal penalties for prostitution include the following:

• jail time
• probation
• loss of employment
• loss of professional license, if applicable
• fines
• parole
• prison term
• court-mandated counseling and/or therapy
• AIDS testing
• Tax evasion IRS investigation/penalties

 Help from an Attorney

If one has been involved in a prostitution ring, it is important to seek the counsel of an experienced criminal attorney as soon as possible.  Not only can a seasoned attorney assist in evaluating the case in order to determine the most beneficial course of action, but also the attorney can help to minimize the consequences of the case.  Moreover, the attorney can help to preserve any rights one may have in the matter.  Finally, an experienced attorney may have contacts with the prosecution which can help if negotiating a plea bargain in order to reduce and/or eliminate the pending criminal charges.