The Associated Press
RIVERSIDE, California- Two Israeli nationals were arrested on suspicion of running a massive prostitution ring that employed more than 240 women across several Western states and generated millions of dollars, authorities said.
Boaz Benmoshe, 44, and Ofer Moses Lupovitz, 43, were among seven people arrested last week and charged for investigation of pimping, pandering, perjury, loan fraud, money laundering, falsifying income tax returns and grand theft, Riverside County Sheriff Bob Doyle said Monday.
The suspects operated Elite Entertainment, a Palm Springs business that posed as an escort service in online and newspaper advertisements, according to an affidavit filed by prosecutors. For at least three years, the business managed more than 80 phone lines, where clients across California, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona would call an 800 number and request a girl.
The suspects would dispatch the prostitutes, who charged between $200 (euro157) to $2,000 (euro1,573) for sexual services, Doyle said. They used the money to fraudulently secure loans for million-dollar homes, authorities alleged.
During a 2 1/2-year probe, undercover detectives ordered escorts who worked for Elite Entertainment to hotel rooms in several locations and arrested them after money was exchanged for the promise of sex.
Authorities also seized about 15 computers and $5 million (euro3.93 million) in unspecified assets. Officials said the investigation was continuing and that more arrests were likely.
The suspects include Benmoshe’s wife, Melanie Ann Smith, 24, and Russian nationals Moti M. Vintrov, 33, and Eliran Vintrov, 28, plus their spouses.
A telephone number for Benmoshe was not listed. The office of Elite Entertainment, which went by several names, has been vacant for several months.
Bail amounts were set from $25,000 (euro19,657) to $1.5 million (euro1.18 million), according to court records. Arraignment was scheduled for Aug. 21.
Small plane crashes 20 feet from Michigan prison’s secure perimeter; all 4 people aboard dead
KINCHELOE, Mich.
A small plane crashed on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, narrowly missing a state prison and killing all four people on board, authorities said.
No one at the Chippewa Correctional Facility was injured when the twin-engine plane crashed, hitting a buffer fence about 20 feet outside the prison’s secure perimeter Monday morning, said Russ Marlan, a Department of Corrections spokesman.
“It came close,” Marlan said. “But all staff and prisoners are accounted for.”
He said inmates were sent to their cells and windows were closed as the plane burned outside the facility.
The plane’s pilot and three passengers were from Wisconsin, state police said. Their identities were not released.
Marlan said it appeared the pilot tried to avoid hitting housing associated with the prison. Chippewa Correctional Facility houses an estimated 1,500 prisoners of varying security levels.