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Prostitution fronts warned
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Posted on Jan 20 2005
Establishments serving as fronts for the illicit sex trade, particularly those in the Garapan tourist district, were put on notice that they and their owners face possible criminal prosecution.
At least three establishments have been sent written notices by the Attorney General’s Office, giving them 60 days to stop suspected prostitution activities, said CNMI chief prosecutor David Hutton.
Hutton declined to disclose the name of the establishments pending their possible compliance with the AGO’s notices. He said, though, that these businesses operate massage parlors.
“The crime of prostitution in the Garapan area is very detrimental to tourism,” Hutton said. “To continue to allow this conduct could potentially result in their being charged with promoting prostitution.”
Law enforcers have again heightened the crackdown on prostitution in the CNMI’s premier tourist district, with Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente and attorney general Pamela Brown highlighting the issue as one of their priorities.
Last Tuesday, lawmen arrested seven female alien workers for allegedly offering sexual favors for fees.
The arrests came following the issuance of court warrants sought by Immigration agents, who have been conducting surveillance operations at the tourist district since October last year.
Agents observed the women actively soliciting customers among Garapan’s passers-by.
