More Desert Divas Escorts Arrested
Some Surrender, 1 Arrested In Connection With Probe
POSTED: 1:40 pm MST August 20,
2008
UPDATED: 7:34 pm MST August 20,
2008
PHOENIX -- Five more arrests have been made in what authorities have called the biggest prostitution bust ever in the Valley, police said on Wednesday.
Some of the suspects turned themselves in and one was arrested by another agency based on an arrest warrant, police said.
They were identified as Angela Eder, 25; Diane Morris, 22; Anita Santa Cruz, 27; Whitney (or Whitnie) Vanleeuwen, 24; and Nicole Chapman, 32.The arrests brought to 34 the number of people arrested since police swept down on several locations Aug. 5 in an operation that targeted an organization run by Paul Nichta, called "Nighttime Entertainment Partners." Police said the organization provided prostitutes through numerous websites.It allegedly employed more than 100 people, mostly prostitutes, and served hundreds of customers or "johns." The investigation has connections to Philadelphia and Albuquerque, N.M., police said.The escorts were allegedly recruited through ads in the ‘New Times' and Web sites promising incomes of up to $30,000 dollars per month. Two former escorts told police they made approximately $2,000 per night, but could also earn an additional $15,000 dollars a night in tips."Because of the amount of money that was involved, we have seized several high-end cars, Lamborghinis, Mercedes, we have about 4 or 5 more cars to go through. We've got bank accounts that have been frozen, houses that have been seized," said Phoenix Police lieutenant Bill Schemers.Fifty people have been indicted in connection with the case."It's a very extensive case," said Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris. "It's going to be going on and will probably be in the news for quite some time, but we want to thank everyone that has been a part of that partnership and putting this together."
| IMAGES: Booking Photos Updated 8/20/08 |
Copyright 2009 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.









