Do you need a Boston Prostitution Defense Lawyer? Are you concerned about potentially facing public charges? High profile clients may be prosecuted for solicitation in the recent interstate prostitution case centering on brothels in the Boston area and Washington, D.C.. Three people were arrested and accused of running brothels in Cambridge, Watertown and Washington, D.C. A 41 year old woman from Cambridge was accused of being the leader of the interstate prostitution network and violating the Mann Act, a federal law that targets interstate prostitution rings. Two other suspects were also charged.
The brothels were frequented by D.C. Politicians and other elite customers who allegedly paid for sex. Acting US Attorney Joshua Levy made national headlines when he disclosed the professions, but not the names, of the clients suspected of patronizing the brothels. The US Attorney has not ruled out prosecuting the clients on federal or state charges.
In prostitution cases, people getting paid for sex are charged more often than clients paying. Recently, however, prosecutors have signaled a crackdown to deter clients from using the services of sex workers who may be exploited or trafficked.
Interstate Prostitution
Interstate prostitution is an extremely serious charge that can have severe consequences. Usually interstate prostitution charges are faced by people directly involved in allegedly running operations that sell sexual services. Anyone who can be shown to be involved with running a website or bookings could potentially be accused of having a managerial role.
Solicitation of sex by clients is a state charge, not a federal charge. However, according to the Boston Globe, authorities could bring federal charges by accusing clients of being involved in a conspiracy.
The Mann Act is a law that was passed to target sex trafficking and human trafficking. To be charged with a federal offense under the Mann Act, it must be proved that you facilitated the transportation of an individual for the purposes of prostitution or any sexual activity that could be considered a crime. Using mail, telephone, or electronic communications in the course of such an act could also be charged as a Mann Act violation. Charges brought under the Mann Act can result in a fine and/or up to 10 years in prison.
Solicitation versus Prostitution
Solicitation and prostitution are both misdemeanors in Massachusetts but they have different punishments. Soliciting for a prostitute, or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct for a fee, is punished by up to 2 and a half years in the house of corrections and a fine of up to $5000. Engaging in sexual conduct for a fee, or prostitution, is punishable by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than one year and a fine of not more than $500.
What both these crimes have in common is the damage to reputation and the embarrassment involved. The stigma attached to these charges means that being convicted of prostitution or solicitation can profoundly damage your personal and professional life.
Any charges involving prostitution, solicitation, or running an interstate prostitution ring should be taken seriously. These charges can have lasting impacts on your future, whether via reputational damage, prison time and/or a fine.
At Dhar Law, LLP, we have defended numerous cases involving prostitution, solicitation, interstate prostitution, and conspiracy to commit such crimes. We build a robust defense to counter these accusations. The prosecution’s evidence against you should be scrutinized and may result in charges being dismissed. For example in a recent high profile case, Robert Kraft was among a group of men accused of prostitution. Charges against them were dismissed because CCTV footage was not deemed admissible. If you are facing a serious solicitation or prostitution charge, please don’t hesitate to contact our experienced Boston solicitation and interstate prostitution defense team to learn more.
