MBI Sgt. Jerry Wert said this week that agents plan to investigate all dating and escort services in Central Florida.
''Those that are engaged in prostitution we will find out about and prosecute, '' Wert saidHis warning emerged after law enforcement representatives arrested a Casselberry lady Wednesday and charged her with running a prostitution ring under the guise of a dating and take service.
Martha Donaldson, 28, was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to engage in racketeering and securing another for prostitution. She was released from the Orange Region Jail Friday night on $6, 000 bondWert said Donaldson ran the service, called Ashley's, from her apartment in the Casselberry area. He said she co-owned the service with James Mann, twenty-three, of Hernando County.
Mann surrendered to MBI agents Thursday acompanhantes sp and was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, living off of the earnings of a prostitute and directing for the purposes of prostitution. Mann was released from the Lemon County Jail on $5, 000 bondThe busts came following a five-month investigation by the MBI, the Seminole County City-County Researched Bureau and the Brevard-Seminole State Attorney's Office.
Ausprägung said Donaldson worked as a prostitute and went the business while Mann scheduled dates and found customers. He said the service employed four women and that clients who answered newspapers personals advertising paid as much as $450 an hour. In a single week, Donaldson made $3, 000, he or she said.Investigators documented at least 66 customers during a 30-day period, including lawyers, architects and other professionals, Wert said. ''We know there were far more customers, '' he said. ''All of these customers were local community people in the Central California area. ''
Donaldson was one of 15 women arrested by MBI brokers in March after having a 16- week probe into prostitution among escort services. Of which case hasn't come to trial.Investigators said she was employed by one of three services in Casselberry and Fern Recreation area targeted by agents. Ausprägung said Donaldson also has warrants in Kentucky on prostitution charges.