Decoy Prostitutes In U.s. Causing More Political... (Press, 9 September 1976)

The use of decoy prostitutes in the United States has led to a surge in political scandals and has sparked considerable controversy, particularly after court rulings in California that prevent the arrest of women unless their male clients are also prosecuted. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has raised concerns, arguing that it is unethical for the government to tempt individuals into committing what they term "victimless crimes" only to subsequently punish them. This practice, which originated in California, has spread to major cities nationwide, resulting in thousands of arrests over the past year. In Salt Lake City, for instance, the police have employed girls at a rate of $5 an hour for their decoy operations, boasting a 91 per cent conviction rate from several hundred arrests. Among those apprehended was Congressman Allan Howe, a 48-year-old Democrat whose political career came to an abrupt end following his arrest. He received a 30-day suspended sentence after being caught soliciting two decoy officers, challenging the notion that he was lured into the encounter unintentionally. Howe's situation has drawn attention to concerns about political motivations behind these undercover operations. Many of his supporters believe that Howe's progressive views had made him a target for conservative factions within Utah, especially as he faced re-election in November. Coincidentally, on the day of Howe's sentencing, his campaign manager was also arrested for alleged marijuana offences, leading to claims that police were under orders to focus on Howe. The drive against "Johns" has been seen as a backlash from law enforcement against judicial decisions that increasingly dismiss charges against women involved in prostitution without the prosecution of their clients. Judge Olive Marie-Victoire in San Francisco has been a prominent figure in this movement, having dismissed charges against numerous women, many of whom were single mothers struggling financially. The police's use of decoy officers in these cases is partly a response to the growing frustrations with the courts. However, the role of decoy agents carries inherent risks. Reports have emerged of women being attacked while conducting undercover operations, and strict guidelines dictate their appearance to prevent overt signals of entrapment. Various prominent figures have been caught up in similar scandals that highlight a pattern of public figures being ensnared in such police operations, including former Supreme Court nominee G. Harrold Carswell and Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Maurice Weiner, who both faced charges related to soliciting undercover officers in sexual contexts. As police employ these tactics in various cities from New York to Los Angeles, there is clear frustration among the ranks of those subject to such operations. The narrative surrounding sex solicitation, entrapment, and political ramifications continues to evolve, reflecting broader societal tensions regarding morality, law enforcement, and personal freedom in America.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand