According to this article in the Palm Beach Post, more than seven months after the initial investigation was opened, no one in Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River or Orange counties is facing a human trafficking charge.
Nevertheless 5 of the 25 men in arrested in Jupiter’s Orchids of Asia have taken an unorthodox plea deal that requires them to admit guilt despite having their charges dropped as part of a plea.
“Attorney Steven Gomberg told the newspaper the defendants in the Jupiter spa case are being treated differently because various law enforcement officials connected the investigation to human trafficking.“It’s outrageous,” Gomberg said. “I think the next thing we will see is Mr. Aronberg calling a press conference to announce he found five kids smoking weed at the park and he’s linked them to a drug cartel.””
From our perspective, this is just more fear mongering by the government in order to justify continued funding of their “operations”.
Prosecutor admits no evidence of human trafficking!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=newssearch&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjvo725idfhAhXiguAKHRH8DKUQzPwBegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rollingstone.com%2Fculture%2Fculture-news%2Frobert-kraft-sex-work-trafficking-florida-823153%2F&psig=AOvVaw1GeEnzzwsPtRbxrrcYsINw&ust=1555588652128936
Prostitution should be legal everywhere. Sex between consenting adults is legal…paying for services is legal so why is paying for sex illegal?
Answer: Those making the laws are sex-phobic and religiously sexually repressed. They are simply imposing their narrow minded morality on everyone.
Those countries where it is legal it is safer because it is not forced into the alley ways and darkness where crime rules. The workers are safer, healthier and less likely to be harmed. Things actually work just fine.
The fact that prosecutors would negotiate a plea deal on the basis that a defendant admits guilt shows how incredibly weak these cases are. People should be outraged that their tax dollars funded these sham operations.
Fear mongering is a tactic many try to use. If you are in the right you must take a stand. I had a probation supervisor…not probation officer…try to intimidate me to no avail. I have dealt with these types before and if you accept the challenge they back off. He reminded me of a person who was probably bullied as a child and now had ‘authority’ enough to think he could do the bullying. That kind of ‘crap’ I just don’t put up with, no matter who it is. You can only do this kind of stand if you are living a squeaky, clean lifestyle. Don’t give a bully an opening.
Amen 🙏🏿 you’re so right about this topic
Capt:
A-freaking-men to that. I’ve always liked registry life and SO probation to state-sponsored bullying. Most POs (though, fortunately for me, not my current one) are some of the biggest bullies I’ve ever come across. As as most of us should have learned in elementary school, bullies never ease up when you cave in to them – they only get worse.
Starting to wish all registrants on paper would start standing up for themselves to their POs. Simply insisting on proper service of changes to conditions (as opposed to just doing whatever they say) goes a long way.
Educating yourself with regards to what you, your probation officer, the sheriff’s office, etc, can and cannot do are also very important when it comes to potential intimidation by those in power.
Don’t just take someone’s word on a matter. Look into it yourself. If it’s written, understand what it says. If you do not understand don’t be afraid to ask questions.
I’ve had to (politely) correct an individual on a few points of law. Oddly, she was grateful for the correction.
Regarding the above story? I don’t think anyone who visits FAC is surprised in the least.
Question, was this particular operation run by a ICAC unit? Or were those responsible for its operation eligible for a federal Grant like the ICAC units?
That might make for a very interesting story.