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9 In Desert Divas Case Plead Guilty

POSTED: 4:09 pm MST April 17, 2009
UPDATED: 5:40 am MST April 18, 2009

Seven key operators and two customers in the Desert Divas prostitution ring pleaded guilty, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced Friday.

  • Raw Video: Thomas Says Divas Syndicate Is Broken
  • It is the largest prostitution bust in Arizona history. Not only did investigators make dozens of arrest, they also seized cash, drugs and weapons.

    The ring came to an end in August 2008, when investigators busted several Valley locations.

    Police documents have revealed that the Johns generally paid a $375 all-inclusive rate. And if the escorts showed up late, they had to pay a fine.

    According to investigators, the criminal enterprise was making bank deposits totaling $250,000 a month.

    Here is a list and profile of those that pleaded guilty:

    Paul Nichta, 33, owner and ring leader
    Pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, money laundering and use of a wire or electronic communication, Thomas said. Nichta admitted to owning, operating and receiving money from Night Partner's Entertainment, which included the Desert Divas business, Thomas said. He also acknowledged the operation as a prostitution enterprise. Nichta faces 2.5 years in prison following his sentencing, scheduled for June 25.

    Peter Shifman, 57, accountant
    Pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, money laundering and use of a wire or electronic communication, Thomas said. Shifman admitted to being the accountant for Night Partner's Entertainment and knowing it was a prostitution business, Thomas said. He also admitted to receiving money from the prostitution proceeds. Shifman faces 2.5 years in prison following his June 18 sentencing.

    Scott Eder, 36, manager
    Pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, money laundering and illegal use of wire or electronic communications. He faces 2.5 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 28. Eder was the manager of the Arizona Confidential business which operated under the larger umbrella company of Night Partner's Entertainment, Thomas said. He admits to being an integral part in managing women engaged in prostitution and that he received money from this business, Thomas said.

    Shelia Bucalo, 42, manager
    Pleaded guilty to money laundering and operating or maintaining a house of prostitution. She faces 1.5 years in prison when she is sentenced on May 14. Bucalo admits to working as a phone operator setting up prostitution dates for Night Partner's Entertainment as well as completing some managerial tasks for the prostitution enterprise, Thomas said.

    Sean Carter, 40, manager
    Pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, money laundering and use of a wire or electronic vommunication. No sentencing date has been set. Carter admits to being a manager for Night partner's Entertainment, assisting with hiring, scheduling and personnel issues for the women employed as prostitutes, Thomas said.

    Adam Beech, 25, part owner and photographer
    Pleaded guilty to illegal control of an enterprise, money laundering and use of a wire or electronic communication. He faces 1.5 years in prison when he is sentenced July 1. Beech admits to being part owner of Night Partner's Entertainment in 2006 and being part of the management team, Thomas said. Later, he continued working for the prostitution enterprise taking nude photos and pornographic videos used to advertise the prostitution enterprise on the web, Thomas said.

    Dr. Ross Levatter, 53, investor and VIP customer
    Pleaded guilty to attempted money laundering. He faces probation when he is sentenced on May 14. Levatter admits to attempting to possess money that was the proceeds of pandering, Thomas said.

    Louis Stirling, 55, and William Ferretti, 65, VIP customers
    Pleaded guilty to attempted pandering. Both face sentencing next month.

    Thomas said the investigation is still underway and additional charges are possible.

    "As far as johns go, it is a crime, and we have met with city attorney and discussed what we could do in the city of Phoenix," said Sgt. Andy Hill of the Phoenix Police Department. "But, again, the whole point is -- we have to go to the place where the crime originated, and there are many different cities where crimes happened."

    Later developments in the case against Nichta led to the arrest of David Elms, 38, the operator of the Erotic Review Web site, Thomas said. Elms is accused of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault in a case not related to the Desert Divas investigation. There is a warrant out for Elm's arrest. He fled after posting $150,000 bond.

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