Prostitution Probe Targets Dating, Escort Services

Dating and companion services that are being used as fronts for prostitution would be the target of a crackdown by agents of the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.

MBI Sgt. Jerry Ausprägung said this week that agents want to investigate all dating and escort services in Port orange flThose that are engaged in prostitution we will find out about and prosecute, '' Ausprägung said.His warning emerged after law enforcement representatives arrested a Casselberry female Wednesday and charged the girl with managing a prostitution ring under the guise of a dating and escort service.

 Martha Donaldson, twenty eight, was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to engage in racketeering and securing another for prostitution. She was launched from the Orange Region Jail Friday night on $6, 000 bondWert said Donaldson ran the service, called Ashley's, from her apartment in the Casselberry area. He said she co-owned the service with James Mann, 23, of Hernando County.

Mann surrendered to MBI brokers acompanhantes sp Thursday and was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, living from the earnings of a prostitute and directing for the reasons prostitution. Mann was released from the Fruit County Jail on $5, 000 bondThe busts came after having a five-month analysis by the MBI, the Seminole County City-County Investigative Bureau and the Brevard-Seminole State Attorney's Office.

Ausprägung said Donaldson worked as a prostitute and went the business while Mann scheduled dates and located customers. He said the service employed four women and that clients who answered paper personals advertisements paid as much as $450 an hour. In a single week, Donaldson made $3, 000, this individual said.

Investigators documented at least 66 customers during a 30-day period, including lawyers, architects and other professionals, Wert said. ''We know there were far more customers, '' he said. ''All of these customers were local community people in the Central California area. ''

Donaldson was one of 15 women arrested by MBI brokers in March following a 16- week probe into prostitution among escort services. Of which case hasn't come to trialInvestigators said the lady was employed by one of three services in Casselberry and Fern Park targeted by agents. Wert said Donaldson also has warrants in Kentucky on prostitution charges.