A sting operation by law enforcement personnel has smashed a prostitution ring in St. Lucie West, leading to the arrest of several suspects. The ringleader is a 45-year-old man who has been charged with sex trafficking and human trafficking. Such criminal defendants will require intervention by a St. Lucie County criminal lawyer if they hope to overcome the charges or at least reduce the penalties facing them. This is the type of assistance available from the law firm of Jonathan Jay Kirschner & Associates.
The arrests in St. Lucie West came after an undercover operation conducted by the local sheriff’s department. In this operation, female and male deputies posed as either prostitutes or solicitors and also used social networking sites, telephone contacts and the presence of a local hotel to break the ring. The primary suspect reportedly tried to entice one of the deputies to work for him. In a telephone conversation with her, he admitted to running an escort service that employed 15 other women.
According to investigators, the suspect had preyed on women who were suffering from various addictions or otherwise down on their luck. In addition to threats made to her, he reportedly promised the undercover officer more money and a generally better life. It was at a meeting arranged by deputies that he was caught. Six other suspects were also apprehended in connection with their involvement in the ring and face various criminal charges. Adding to the woes of the primary suspect is his prior record, which includes charges of robbery, sexual battery and false imprisonment.
Those charged with serious crimes can easily be overwhelmed by a justice system that is primarily concerned with convicting and punishing them, even though they may be innocent. However, those facing criminal charges have many constitutional rights that can help level the playing field. It is a St. Lucie County criminal lawyer who will guarantee those rights by representing the defendant throughout the legal process.
A human trafficking defense attorney can use different tactics to challenge either the circumstances of the arrest or the original charges. If necessary, the attorney will argue the facts before a jury or even challenge the conviction if the jury finds the defendant guilty. It is for these and many other reasons that defendants need the services of a St. Lucie county criminal lawyer. If you or someone you know is in such a situation, you should contact the law firm of Jonathan Jay Kirschner & Associates at 772-489-8501.
