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Details of Spotsylvania's investigation into the Moon Spa come out; prosecutor defends tactics. Date published: 2/17/2006
By BILL FREEHLING The Spotsylvania County sheriff has suspended the practice of allowing detectives to have sexual contact with suspects during investigations, Sheriff Howard Smith said last night. Smith said he's had a lot of feedback from the public since the story broke Monday that one of his detectives paid for and received oral sex while investigating a now-closed county massage parlor suspected of prostitution and money laundering. Smith said he announced his decision to his deputies yesterday afternoon. He said he made that decision because the people of Spotsylvania County seemed to mostly disagree with the practice. "As the sheriff, I understand the feelings and concerns that the citizens of this county have expressed," Smith said last night in his office. "And I empathize with those feelings. Because of the public's express response, I have suspended the practice." Smith added that he has directed his senior staff to review the new approach and report back to him with recommendations. He said this could make it harder to eliminate illegal massage parlors, but he said the office will continue to go after them. "I won't back away from trying to catch these people," Smith said. Spotsylvania Commonwealth's Attorney William Neely said he respects the decision, but said he doesn't apologize "one iota" for the tactics used. He said they were effective in shutting down the Moon Spa, an unlicensed massage parlor that was located across from BJ's Wholesale Club on State Route 3. Detectives shut the parlor down late last month. The two suspected operators and three women accused of working there face charges including prostitution and sodomy, and Smith said additional charges are possible. Detectives got warrants to search the Moon Spa and the Fairfax County home of the two suspected operators last month. The Spotsylvania search warrant is sealed, but the one in Fairfax is publicly available and provides details about the case. According to the documents, two undercover detectives visited the Moon Spa on Jan. 5. They paid $60 each for a 30-minute massage and were bathed, massaged and masturbated. The detectives gave the woman, "Mimi," a $50 tip.
I did a search on this story and it has apparently been carried by several news services. What a laughingstock it has made out of Spotsylvania Co and it's law enforcement. I would be ashamed too. No, this Sheriff did NOT recognize that he had made a mistake. He only changed the tactics used AFTER he was Caught. Big difference. I also agree that had this been an ordinary man soliciting for sex, he would have been arrested and labeled as a "John". Shame on Sheriff Smith!
Is it me or does the story seem to change? And why keep mentioning the man/men (changes) are single..hmmm!? Returning many times was not necessary! Drugs are bought but not done, when the illegal act was paid for and started to perform, no need to finish and return for more!!!!
Apology, no, how about couceling on morals and integrity
Hmm, just some good ole boys.......The nation should laugh at them!
Shame has been brought to Spotsylvania County by the authorization and the subseqent participating of our law enforcement personal in sexual acts in order to obtain evidence. I believe that a public apology is in order from Sheriff Smith and from Mr. Neely. What an example for our youth. Perhaps the state legislators can amend the law..
No one seems to complain when the police have to actually sell drugs, usually multiple times, to bring down a drug dealer. No, they don't do the drugs themselves, but just the act of the sale is an illegal one. Yet we tolerate this to "build a case" and rid the streets of drug dealers. Once again, either because folks think that prostitution is a "victimless crime" or because of some "PC" or puritanical streak, somehow they find this methodology appalling. The sheriff is spot-on in busting this down!
from "BJ's Wholesale Club on State Route 3." Is its vicinity to BJ's really important? I just found something really funny about that.
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