An escort I've frequented has been arrested

[Guy Fawkes]

In general no, But remember Daddy's rules!

 

This may be a dumb question but would messages that have no discussion of activities or donation result still result in a problem for the client?

[BaronArtz]

Just in case you missed the news about the Robert Kraft arrest:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/sports/robert-kraft-jupiter-orchids-arrest.html?action=click&module=Latest&pgtype=Homepage

[Frequentflier]

Ha. This isn't like a drug bust where they're looking for the king pin. Going through the phone would require a court order and they'd have to have good cause for that.

 

A search warrant for a phone would only be needed if the person arrested doesn't consent to the police reviewing whats on it including text messages. I'd guess its not hard for the police to obtain a search warrant for a phones content if consent isn't given. MOST people (Roger Stone may yet reach this point) arrested want to cooperate in any way possible hoping for leniency or complete release without charges, even though complete release without a charge is often unlikely. As difficult as it would be, the advice to obtain an attorney before talking is the best.

 

Good advice is to use a prepaid phone that your name isn't attached to and don't text details that you wouldn't want read out loud in a court room.

 

Beyond that, I'd hope most law enforcement agencies aren't focused on adults voluntarily offering themselves as escorts who decide what they will or won't do and receive compensation for their time directly (no middle men involved and no coercion). Running a brothel or similar establishment like where Robert Kraft got himself into trouble is very different.

Edited February 23, 2019 by Frequentflier

[Frequentflier]

Just be aware that text messages themselves are not proof that anything went on and without a direct witness, no criminal charges are going to be levied, Now if you are a high profile individual, a celebrity or a politician, then just having texts on his phone could get you convicted in the court of public opinion, as these things have a way of slipping out. But if you are just a regular Joe Blow, I would not give it a second thought. I would look for another regular though.

 

I'm not a lawyer but wouldn't verbal or text communication, depending on content, be soliciting even if the two people didn't meet up? And solicitation is illegal. I think a lot of law enforcement in this area takes place when people meet because at that point the evidence is the strongest and those involved more likely to plea to a charge and avoid the inevitable harsher sentence if they opt for a trial.

[Frequentflier]

It is more likely than that he will be prosecuted for tax evasion, rather than prostitution. Prostitution is just not rewarding for prosecutors. It's a difficult crime to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Tax evasion is easier.

 

I'm very much ok with people being prosecuted for tax evasion.

[+ E.T.Bass]

Just in case you missed the news about the Robert Kraft arrest:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/sports/robert-kraft-jupiter-orchids-arrest.html?action=click&module=Latest&pgtype=Homepage

The sting covered multiple states and resulted in many customers being dragged into the case. Seems worrisome, how massage parlors are part of health and entertainment choices for many men.

 

The silver lining might be the hypocrisy brought to light if enough of the perps are rich Repubs, like Kraft The family values party again.

[+ purplekow]

I'm not a lawyer but wouldn't verbal or text communication, depending on content, be soliciting even if the two people didn't meet up? And solicitation is illegal. I think a lot of law enforcement in this area takes place when people meet because at that point the evidence is the strongest and those involved more likely to plea to a charge and avoid the inevitable harsher sentence if they opt for a trial.

It is soliciting, perhaps if money exchange is mentioned. If talking dirty and trying to arrange for sexual congress is illegal, just about everyone in the US could be arrested, including all members of Congress.

[instudiocity]

Supposing you don't provide them with any accurate information about yourself, what does it really matter? Also- if you think your info is not being tracked, sold, and monetized via any other service (online or offline) you're in for quite a shock. Are you a member of a grocery store club? Do you have health insurance? Are you on any mailing lists? Ever joined a gym? Do you have any credit cards? A cell phone? Then congratulations- your information is already being bought and sold.

 

So you understand where I'm coming from, I am an IT Network Engineer with a Masters degree in Information Security. I have been working and teaching in the InfoSec space for almost a decade.

Yet, I still refuse to provide Google any opportunity to build a profile on me, including blocking cookies in my web browsing and refusing to use anything Google. Facebook, too.

 

If you access Google, they know the device, the IP address and can connect that account with other accounts accessing services with that device &/or IP address. So unless you’re in the public library or using a perfectly clean burner phone you’re making yourself or your devices’ proclivities known. .

Edited February 23, 2019 by instudiocity

[rustyrex]

Sigh...I always get nervous looking down these types of threads, I used to be so paranoid that I would circle the hotel and search for unmarked police cars to see if they were doing a sting. You know the saying....always trust your gut. Unfortunately I've been using my real number for years and credit cards (gotta get those frequent flyer points) but after reading this I'll be more careful. Last trip I started using burner numbers....that was a surprise in itself, got really weird random texts and calls. Thanks for making me more aware.

[cooperfun]

So it turns out he was advertising on a straight dating app. I dont know which one. He specialized in cougar ski bunnies visiting park city, but would also take male clients, but rarely advertised in that field. He was picked up as part of a sting operation by an internet task force. He was out the next day, but has court dates in the future. He says they didn't ask about other clients, so i should be safe. All the same, I'm looking into burner phone apps.

[+ tassojunior]

Isn't WhatsApp still encrypted? Unfortunately US guys don't use it much. In the rest of the world it rules.

[mike carey]

Isn't WhatsApp still encrypted? Unfortunately US guys don't use it much. In the rest of the world it rules.

Yes it is, but that only covers it in transmission. There's no equivalent of the telco copy of information about the communication, but what's in the device isn't encrypted. So, data can be accessed if the device used is in LE's hands. I don't know whether data (metadata of calls and the content or metadata of texts) can be recovered if the user has deleted them. If deletion makes such data unrecoverable, obviously both users would have to have done so

[+ Keith30309]

WhatsApp is owned by Facebook and I think we all know how concerned they are about your privacy.

 

I use Protonmail and Telegram. Both are free, fast and easy. You can put a timer on comms so that they self-destruct on both ends, are fully encrypted and about as safe as anything can be.

 

They are designed for safe, private communications and that’s what we’re talking about here.

[Quincy_7]

I personally use those free texting apps in the google play store.

[+ tassojunior]

Yes it is, but that only covers it in transmission. There's no equivalent of the telco copy of information about the communication, but what's in the device isn't encrypted. So, data can be accessed if the device used is in LE's hands. I don't know whether data (metadata of calls and the content or metadata of texts) can be recovered if the user has deleted them. If deletion makes such data unrecoverable, obviously both users would have to have done so

 

Yes, but WhatsApp can't be subpoenaed since they possess nothing intelligible. When things get nasty that's a huge plus.

 

Of course, Facebook is soon going to destroy that privacy.

[big dale]

When you create the Google account you're going to use for Google Voice, Google can track the device you've used to create it. That device can be used to associate you with legitimate communication you've done other other identities -- in theory. If I have three Google accounts and I access them all from my laptop or tablet at home Google will have the data to connect all three of those accounts. Once I activate the Google Voice app on my phone Google can can connect that account with other activity from that device, much of which could easily connect to my identity.

 

It's not plausible that a local escort sting would reach out to Google for those connections. I'm not sure how many of these connections are visible to a phone service provider or ISP, and how much they choose to accumulate. The data is all available somewhere, but no one would go to the effort to connect the dots unless you were the subject of a serious investigation.

This is not really how it works, unless you get to a really sophisticated level of data review and the user has done absolutely nothing else to try to mask their identity (like using a VPN)

[Gymowner]

Jesus christ! If one takes such lengths to "hide" ones activities isnt it time to step back and take a look at what one is doing? Remember.... your grandmother in heaven can see everything you are doing no matter how hard you try to hide it!

[instudiocity]

Jesus christ! If one takes such lengths to "hide" ones activities isnt it time to step back and take a look at what one is doing? Remember.... your grandmother in heaven can see everything you are doing no matter how hard you try to hide it!

And Grandma worries over we’re doing more than Jesus Christ?

[Nvr2Thick]

This is not really how it works, unless you get to a really sophisticated level of data review and the user has done absolutely nothing else to try to mask their identity (like using a VPN)

 

We're saying some of the same things. The VPN is a red herring though with the casual users we're dealing with in this scenario. You're saying it requires a sophisticated level of data review; I'm saying that that data is available in theory, phone providers and ISPs may not even maintain the data, and it's not plausible that anyone would attempt it or care to unless there were a serious investigation. Behind the scenes of a terrorist threat investigation there might be some deep digging, but not for a local escort sting.

[big dale]

We're saying some of the same things. The VPN is a red herring though with the casual users we're dealing with in this scenario. You're saying it requires a sophisticated level of data review; I'm saying that that data is available in theory, phone providers and ISPs may not even maintain the data, and it's not plausible that anyone would attempt it or care to unless there were a serious investigation. Behind the scenes of a terrorist threat investigation there might be some deep digging, but not for a local escort sting.

Gotcha. That makes sense. Now let's talk about these people who pay with credit cards, venmo, etc. LOL

[FerTop]

WhereV i see

[Mblanston]

Hey guys, so I don't post much, but I've enjoyed the wisdom offered from this forum for years. I have a question.

I've been visiting a local escort about once a month for going on three years now. He's not discussed on here, he was a rare craigslist find back when my area didn't have much to offer. We've actually become pretty good friends, and I've actually played with him and his boyfriend a few times since they got together around a year ago.

His bf texted me and warned me not to send any explicit texts because his bf had been arrested for prostitution.

That got me worried. We have been texting for three year now discussing appointments, sexual activities, and money. If the police search his phone, and those texts are on there, am I in trouble?

 

I don’t have any wisdom to share so I’ll jut sayi hope nothing comes of it