from www.freep.com – A former porn star and call girl is due in federal court in Detroit today to plead guilty to her role in a major prostitution case involving Miami Companions, a high-priced escort service that was busted in Metro Detroit last summer.
Nayubet Swaso, also known as “Sierra Sanchez” in the escort industry, has a plea hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. today before U.S. District Court Judge Arthur Tarnow. She is expected to plead guilty to one count of persuading or enticing someone to engage in prostitution, according to her lawyer, David Nacht.
According to court records, Swaso was the manager of Miami Companions’ overseas call centers in Panama and Costa Rica, where she verified the johns, and set up their appointments with the prostitutes. She eventually became an escort herself, and, spent a brief time in California shooting porn films.
Nacht would not elaborate on the terms of Swaso’s deal, saying only that it would remain under seal. She faces up to 20 years in prison, but will likely get significantly less time under sentencing guidelines.
Swaso, meanwhile, triggered some controversy this week when an advertisement featuring salacious photos of a “Sierra Sanchez” appeared on an adult web site, indicating she might still be soliciting clients on the Internet. The ad posted 7:50 p.m. Wednesday, the same day her lawyer confirmed that Swaso was entering into a plea deal with prosecutors.
The ad read, in part: “If it is a sexy Exotic girl next door you want with a passionate and sensual attitude than look no further. I am a sweet, petite, down-to-earth girl who really knows how to have a good time.”
On Thursday, Nacht, said that his client was “taking steps to get it taken down.” He said that he did not know about the ad until Thursday.
“I think it’s very difficult to get out of a lifestyle. It’s hard to change who you are,” he said.
Nacht has described his client as a one-time honor student who was abandoned by her adoptive parents as a teen in Panama,and unknowingly fell into the world of prostitution and pornography.
“She is someone who is working very hard to start again,” Nacht said.
Swaso, 24, was among four people indicted last year on charges they ran what authorities said was once one of the largest prostitution services in the country. Metro Detroit was among its busiest ports, records show.
Laurie Carr, co-owner of Miami Companions, pleaded guilty in October to her role in the operation and is cooperating with authorities. She is facing up to 12 months in prison.
Michelle Matarazzo, an office manager who handled travel plans for the call girls, also pleaded guilty and is cooperating with authorities.
They are expected to be key witnesses in the case against Gregory Carr, Laurie Carr’s ex-husband, whom prosecutors have alleged ran the show.
Gregory Carr’s lawyer, Paul DeCailly, has long argued that his client had
very little to do with the operation, and that it was largely a woman-run show.
Carr faces a March 22 trial, although plea discussions have been ongoing.