The owners of Scottsdale-based escort service, Arizona Outcall, were arrested in September as a result of an anonymous tip. The two owners used proceeds from their prostitution ring to fund the limousine company they used as a front, called Maxim Limousine Worldwide or Tiffany Limousine.
Limousine Front Crumbles to Reveal Prostitution Ring
The anonymous tip that alerted law enforcement of Arizona Outcall occurred in early 2013. The Phoenix Police Department, along with other departments, launched undercover operations between April 2013 and September 2014. Undercover officers were able to arrange prostitution deals through the company. When responding to the deals made by undercover officers, several females that worked for the company were arrested for prostitution and escort violations. These women told officers about the limousine service front for the escort service. It was reported that the women sometimes responded to clients as far away as California. The owners were charged with illegal control of an enterprise, operating a house of prostitution, receiving money from prostitutes, and money laundering.
Pimping and Pandering in Arizona
In Arizona, it is illegal to buy or sell sex and to make money off of buying or selling sex. Prostitution occurs when a person offers or engages in sexual activity in exchange for money or something of value. The owners of the escort service may face charges of pimping and pandering. A pimp is a person that is neither directly buying or selling sexual services, but obtains benefits from others doing so. The arrested engaged in a few acts that would legally constitute prostitution, such as:
- Crossing state lines to engage in prostitution
- Receiving a cut of what a prostitute earned for sex
- Owning and operating a prostitution enterprise
Pimping and pandering alone can carry a sentence of six months in jail to two and a half years in prison. If you have been charged with pimping and pandering, Joshua S. Davidson is a former prosecutor with over fifteen years of experience in criminal defense. Call now to build your defense!
