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Hernando Today

First Round Of Trials Ends For Men Nabbed In Prostitution Sting

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: November 25, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The first round of trials for the men nabbed in a prostitution sting ended last week with a mixed bag of results.

The Brooksville Police Department made a total of 32 arrests during Operation Working Woman the week of Sept. 8. Ten of the suspects were scheduled for trial starting Nov. 17.

The results: two acquittals; two guilty verdicts; three plea bargains; two continuances and a mistrial.

Nov. 17 started with an acquittal and a conviction for Isaac Fuentes-Figueroa and William Wood, respectively. Wood was given the maximum penalty of 60 days in jail, plus civil fines amounting to $1,200, court records show.

The pattern repeated Nov. 18, with William Lambrix acquitted and Steven Butterworth found guilty. Butterworth was sentenced to three days in jail and six months probation. His fines also amounted to more than $1,000, records show.

Wednesday saw plea bargains. In exchange for a no contest plea, Raul Bules was given six months probation. He paid an extra $500 to avoid a driver's license suspension. Brian Myers received the same penalty for his no contest plea.

A mistrial was declared on Thursday, after it was discovered that the Police Department had enhanced the audio recording of the alleged transaction between the undercover officer and Geoffrey Daughtry. Defense attorney Laura Drake didn't have a chance to listen to it before the day of the trial.

Instead, Daughtry's case will be included with the others going to trial Monday, Dec. 15.

County Judge Donald Scaglione declared a mistrial in Daughtry's case "out of an abundance of caution," Prosecutor Matthew Pila said Monday.

Also delayed is the case of Eric Mendoza. Mendoza apparently made some statements that were captured on tape while he was sitting in the back seat of a cruiser with another suspect, Servando Valdez. The delay will allow both Pila and Mendoza's lawyer to examine the statements and decide how they will factor into a trial.

William Happel pleaded no contest Friday and was sentenced to six months probation, court records show.

Asked his opinion on last week's outcomes, Pila said he was fairly confident all 10 would not go to trial. Prostitution and driving under the influence are the rare misdemeanors that exact penalties beyond just fines. Citizens found guilty face civil fines, a screening for a sexually transmitted disease and driver's license suspension if the offense happened in a vehicle.

"If you take it to trial, you roll the dice," Pila said. "It's a 50/50 chance."

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

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