Aug 21 2010
Miami Escorts: Judge lets prostitution charges stand
A Fort Lauderdale federal judge Friday rejected a Haitian-American man’s bid to have his prostitution charges thrown out after his lawyer argued the black defendant was treated unfairly by prosecutors.
Miami attorney Joel DeFabio had claimed the U.S. attorney’s office violated the due-process rights of his client, Johnny Saintil, 28, who will stand trial Monday on charges of soliciting two young girls for an Internet-based prostitution ring.
He said prosecutors committed “selective prosecution” on the basis of race and class because they decided not to bring similar charges against a Palm Beach billionaire, Jeffrey Epstein. The 57-year-old white investor was convicted on two state charges of solicitation, served 13 months in jail and had to register as a sex offender in Florida.
U.S. District Judge William Zloch did not say why he denied Saintil’s petition, but indicated he would explain in a final written order.