MOGADISHU EXTREMIST: SOLICITING PROSTITUTES CAN COST CAR!!

[Daanyeer]

Soliciting Prostitutes Can Cost Car
Source: http://www.commercialappeal.com
April 23, 2008 Author: By Jody Callahan



Used during a crime, cars of customers will be seized, says Gibbons



If you're caught with a prostitute, local authorities plan to seize your car.

That was the message conveyed at a press conference Tuesday afternoon, where officials with the Memphis Police and the District Attorney General's Office announced the arrests of 64 people in a three-day prostitution sting.

As a result of those arrests, authorities will attempt to seize 42 cars: 39 from those charged with soliciting prostitutes, as well as one from a suspect facing drug charges and two because the owners had revoked driver's licenses.

"They were used in the commission of a crime. Under state law, they are subject to seizure," Dist. Atty. Gen. Bill Gibbons said, when asked if the seizures seemed excessive. "I think it's a good law. But if you think it's too stringent, talk to your legislators."

Added Memphis Police director Larry Godwin: "I'd say seize

every dadgum vehicle and send a message."

Those whose cars were seized will be able to seek a court hearing, authorities said.

Memphis isn't the only city in the country to try this type of enforcement, as it has become a somewhat frequent effort to stem prostitution.

A local spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union said they would investigate, if asked.

"If we receive complaints of citizens who are affected by this, we'll go through our process of analyzing it and see if there's a violation of the state or federal constitution, and take action," spokesman Bruce Kramer said.

The operation ran from Thursday though Sunday and targeted two locations on Lamar, one near Pearson and the other at Clearpool Circle.

A total of 55 people are facing class A misdemeanor charges of patronizing prostitution, since police said their arrests took place within 1.5 miles of schools.

Also, four more people were charged with promoting prostitution, a felony, while two more were hit with felony drug charges.

Of those arrested, two -- Devon Hamilton and Edward Rogers -- were Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division employees who were on-duty in an MLGW truck. The truck wasn't confiscated when they were charged with soliciting a prostitute.

"We at MLGW are disappointed in this alleged incident involving two employees. ... We take seriously any actions that adversely affect the reputations of MLGW, its employees and our service to the community," said MLGW president Jerry Collins in a statement, adding that the utility would also investigate.

One man, according to police, solicited a prostitute while his 7-year-old daughter was in the car. She'd received a bike for her birthday that day, Godwin said. The bike wasn't confiscated, he added.

Contact Jody Callahan at 529-6531.