Million Dollar "Male Escort" Case Fremont

What: Press Conference-SWOP-USA (Sex Workers Outreach
Project-USA/NORCAL) protests entrapment and costly prosecution of
male escort in Fremont, CA
When: Thursday 12 Noon, Nov 1st
Where: Fremont Municipal Court, 29439 Paseo Padre Parkway Fremont California.
Contacts: Carol Leigh 415-751-1659; Veronica Monet 888-903-0050,
Robyn Few SWOP-USA-877-776-2004
Website: http://www.swop-usa.org; http://www.swop-usa.org/drupal/node/30


For Immediate Release 10-31-2007
Press Conference from Sex Workers' Outreach Project:
Budget Crisis City Prosecutes Million Dollar "Male Escort" Case:
Fremont Conducts Inter-County Bedroom Sting

In the midst of a budget crisis which has caused clogging and early
closure of Fremont courts, the District Attorney has chosen to
prosecute an expensive case against a San Francisco male escort.

Starchild was charged with prostitution as a result of entrapment in
the course of a sting operation conducted by the Fremont Police
Department on December 5th, 2005. The trial is being heard in
Fremont Municipal Court 2nd floor, Dept. 602, 29439 Paseo Padre
Parkway, Fremont, California.

"This would be hilarious if it wasn't such a serious situation of
entrapment," says Carol Leigh from BAYSWAN, Bay Area Sex Worker
Advocacy Network. "These two female vice cops lure Starchild, a very,
very handsome male escort, to Fremont of all places and offer to pay
him money for sex."

"The city is already in deep financial trouble. They are forced to
close the court early because of these financial pressures," explains
Robyn Few, founder of SWOP-USA. "This money should be spent enforcing
crimes of violence, robberies and burglaries to protect Fremont
residents, not wasted in a long range internet entrapment of a male
escort that has nothing whatsoever to do with Fremont."

"Starchild, like most San Franciscans, would have little cause or
desire to go to Fremont. I don't meant to put down Fremont,
especially in light of the city's financial woes, but Fremont?" says
Leigh.

Although no one can determine the potential cost of this case,
estimates range from nearly a half million to a million dollars
including expenses for the decoy operation, court expenses and follow
up.

San Francisco activists are outraged at this blatant inter-country
sting, which by the D.A.'s own allegation, involved private
activities by consenting adults, in another county.

Starchild is a well-known activist, a San Francisco hero to many. An
active Libertarian, Starchild ran for Supervisor in 2006 with his
occupation listed as "escort." He is well known for the support he
has offered others who are unfairly prosecuted for victimless
offenses.

"Not only is the entrapment absurd, but this sting operation sent
local police fishing across county lines to lure consenting adults
behind closed doors," says Veronica Monet of SWOP-USA.

The issue of the right to privacy for consensual adult behaviors has
been established in a Supreme Court ruling, Lawrence V. Texas, in
2003. This was the second court case to reference this landmark
ruling. The infamous D.C. Madame, Jean Palfrey, whose little black
book rocked the federal government with sex scandals and at least one
resignation, was the first to attempt a dismissal of the prostitution
charges leveled against her based upon the Supreme Court decision.
Since the prostitution she is accused of allegedly occurred between
consenting adults and behind closed doors, Palfrey asserted that the
government had no right to prosecute her.

Starchild's attorney, Erica Franklin, requested dismissal in the
Matter of the State of California vs Starchild, Doc No. 216068 at the
Fremont Municipal Court on this basis, however this motion was denied
by Judge Keith Fudenna.

"The DA has discretion in regard to which cases to spend the
taxpayers' money on. Meanwhile, the meter is running on the bill to
taxpayers who as most polls have revealed, do not want to waste time
and money prosecuting victimless "crimes" such as prostitution," says
Robyn Few.

The case will be heard daily, but only between 1 and 4:30 due to
Fremont's budget constraints.

--
Carol Leigh
Bay Area Sex Workers Advocacy Network