Alleged Desert Divas 'Johns' Named
POSTED: 4:19 pm MST February 12,
2009
UPDATED: 5:58 am MST February 16,
2009
PHOENIX -- Phoenix police have released the 649-page list of alleged clients linked to the Desert Divas prostitution investigation.The list averages about 10 clients per page. There may be as many as 6,500 possible clients of the alleged prostitution ring.Investigators said they found the names of two police officers on the list, one from the Valley and one from out of state.The list is put together like a database, with headings that include client name, appointment address, client telephone number, model name and appointment date.It is alphabetized by the client's last name. It appears to cover a time period from May 2005 to May 2008."For the Phoenix cases, the city prosecutor will look at those cases and what cases we submit to them they will review," said Sgt. Andy Hill of the Phoenix Police Department. "If they believe there's probable cause, they will go ahead and charge in those cases. But we're a long ways from there."According to the list, the going rate for an hour with a model was $350 to $400 an hour.So far, police have not arrested any of the men on the client list. Officers said most of the names are people who live outside the Valley and many of them are out of state.Investigators said they will forward those names to the jurisdictions where those people live.In August, Phoenix police shut down the alleged high-dollar call-girl operation after a five-month investigation. Out of more than 50 arrests, officers detained about a dozen men and women they said were key players in the business.Among the evidence they confiscated were detailed ledgers that contained names, phone numbers and addresses of hundreds of customers. Authorities also seized three residences, eight vehicles -- including a Ferrari 43C CP -- and one motorcycle.They also found six rifles, 12 handguns and two silencers at one of the alleged ringleaders' residence, police said.Recently, an Albuquerque man pleaded guilty to seven felony counts, including promoting prostitution and conspiracy, for his role in the alleged Arizona-based prostitution ring.James Bays, 41, faces up to 12 years in prison. No sentencing date was immediately scheduled.Authorities said Bays managed the Desert Divas prostitution ring in Albuquerque.He was arrested in August after a five-month investigation that began when Phoenix police contacted Albuquerque police to report they had been looking into Night Partners Entertainment, also known as Desert Divas, and that it had recently opened in New Mexico's largest city.During an appearance before state District Judge Stan Whitaker, Bays acknowledged his role in the ring, which connected prostitutes with clients through "meet and greets," a Web site and newspaper advertisements.To date, the investigation has yielded 50 arrests of organization members with 13 search warrants served. Investigators said they expect there may eventually be as many 100 arrests of organization members.
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