Tag Archives: prostitution

From the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation: An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gallatin Police Department has resulted in the indictment of a Bethpage man accused of stealing thousands from the food bank where he worked. In May 2022, at the request of 18th Judicial District Attorney General Ray …

The Hudson Star-Observer reports: On Wednesday, Washington County District Judge Siv Mjanger in Minnesota sentenced Jason James Taylor, formerly a pastor at Calvary Chapel Solid Rock in New Richmond, to serve 45 days in Washington County Jail for his conviction on a single felony count of prostitution involving a teen 16 to 17 years old. Undercover agents posing as minors …

Kalamazoo’s Fox affiliate reports: A former Kalamazoo pastor convicted of sex crimes involving teenage boys learned his sentence Monday. Stricjavvar “Strick” Strickland was sentenced to 12 months behind bars on Monday. The former pastor at Second Baptist Church pleaded guilty to one count last August for knowingly offering to sell transportation services for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. Back …

Youngstown’s CBS affiliate reports: A local pastor received his sentence Monday after being picked up in an undercover sex sting last year. Aaron Newell, 49, of Youngstown, reached a plea deal with prosecutors. According to court records, he will serve no jail time but will be on probation for two years. He was also ordered to perform community service and …

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports: Forty-six men who included a high school football coach, a youth pastor and a director of operations at a hospital were recently arrested during a multi-agency operation targeting the demand for commercial sex in North Texas, a federal agency announced on Friday. The names of the suspects were not released by federal authorities. The joint …

Richmond’s NBC affiliate reports: During a brief press conference on Thursday morning, Chesterfield’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Stacey Davenport said a case involving a Virginia pastor and a child sex crimes sting might move forward after charges were dismissed. John Blanchard was the lead pastor at Rock Church in Virginia Beach. In October 2021, he was one of 17 people arrested in …

Cleveland’s NBC affiliate reports: Seventeen men in Northeast Ohio were arrested and charged as the result of a human trafficking investigation that took place on Dec. 8. An online ad offering sexual favors for money led the men to a Microtel Inn & Suites hotel in Canton, the center of an undercover operation. Reports indicate one of the men, Robert …

The Christian Post reports: The leadership team of Rock Church International cited Romans 3:23 Wednesday as they urged congregants to extend forgiveness to the Rev. John Blanchard following his arrest for solicitation of prostitution last fall. “As followers of Christ, we must remember that redemption, salvation, grace, mercy, and healing are all gifts given to the children of God. Although everyone …

Joplin’s NBC affiliate reports: A former area youth pastor and college instructor is accused of soliciting a 15-year-old girl for sex and paying her $500, according to Arkansas court documents. Daniel Williams Smathers, 44, of 3602 Cherry Lane, Joplin was charged in Benton County, Arkansas Circuit Court with traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor …

Click Houston reports: A chief for Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office was arrested and charged Wednesday after being caught up in an undercover prostitution operation, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said. Chief Deputy Brian Harris was charged with soliciting prostitution, authorities said. He is currently in the Montgomery County Jail. The MCSO Organized Crime Unit, in cooperation with Human Trafficking …

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports: A sting operation this week in St. Paul and Stillwater led to the arrest of six people who now face felony charges in connection with attempting to solicit minors for sex or trafficking. Undercover agents posed as minors or sex buyers on social media and made arrangements to meet the adults. When the adults …

The Christian Post reports: A Virginia megachurch pastor who is facing a felony charge of soliciting prostitution from a minor has agreed to step down from his leadership position at his congregation. John Blanchard, the lead pastor of the Rock Church of Virginia Beach, was one of 17 individuals arrested in an October sting operation aimed at capturing people seeking …

The Christian Post reports: A Virginia pastor was arrested during a sting operation to capture individuals seeking sexual relations with minors online. John Blanchard, a 51-year-old pastor at the Rock Church of Virginia Beach, was one of 17 individuals arrested in the operation, according to an announcement from Chesterfield County Police on Monday. “During the two-day operation, detectives intercepted suspects …

Just in via press release: Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr., today announced the Office’s new policy to decline-to-prosecute prostitution and unlicensed massage, and appeared virtually in Manhattan Criminal Court and moved to dismiss 914 Prostitution and Unlicensed Massage cases – in line with the Office’s new policy – preventing unnecessary future contacts with the criminal justice system, eliminating the …

Fox Business reports: The fallout from the case against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is costing a Florida masseuse at the center of the scandal thousands of dollars. Shen Mingbi, one of the masseuses Kraft allegedly visited at the Orchids of Asia in Jupiter, pleaded guilty to soliciting another to commit prostitution and is going to be forced to …

Bloomberg reports: Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has tested positive for the coronavirus and is continuing to work in isolation at his home near Milan, his spokeswoman said. The leader of the Forza Italia party will continue to support candidates of his group and of the center-right bloc with daily media interviews, the spokeswoman said. At 83, Berlusconi falls …

Reuters reports: The FBI is investigating British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and several other people linked to U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation. They said a principal focus of the FBI’s investigation is Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, and other “people who …

The Sacramento Bee reports: Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation today that prohibits condoms as evidence of prostitution when prosecuting someone for sex work crimes. Sex workers are also protected under the new law from arrest when they report rape and other serious felonies. The legislation will therefore prevent “sex workers who report violent felonies from being treated as a criminal …

USA Today reports: Criminal Circuit Judge Joseph Marx issued a temporary protective order late Wednesday that will keep the video footage in the Robert Kraft sex spa case temporarily under seal. Marx’s order will be in effect at least through an April 29 hearing. His ruling was prompted by filings earlier in the day in which the prosecution threatened to …

Yahoo News reports: Prosecutors in Florida on Wednesday said they will make public the police surveillance videos from inside the Orchids of Asia Day Spa, meaning the tapes of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and two dozen other men paying for sex. Kraft’s attorney, William Burck, has been fighting in court to keep the videos out of public view, …