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Woman gets 2 yrs. for soliciting prostitution
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Posted on Feb 15 2000
Superior Court Associate Judge John A. Manglona yesterday sentenced to two years imprisonment 27-year-old Yi Xiou Zhen after she was found guilty of soliciting prostitution.
Ms. Zhen, who was among a group of Chinese nationals rounded up during a police crackdown in Garapan on July 10, 1999, was also ordered to pay a total of $3,100 in fines.
Assistant Attorney General Marvin J. Williams recommended a lighter penalty of 18 months jail time and a fine of $1,000.
Mr. Williams noted that the proliferation of prostitution in Garapan, the island’s main commercial district, has affected the tourism business and poses a health risk because of the possible spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
The flourishing flesh trade in Garapan has also worried local tourism officials after visitors complained of harassment from people openly offering sex for money, which they said tarnishes the image of Northern Marianas as a wholesome family destination.
Mr. Williams said he hopes this would send a strong message to people engaged in flesh trade that the government will use the full force of the law to clamp down on prostitution.
Ms. Zhen, who has been staying in the CNMI for three years now, was working in See You Nightclub as a waitress. However, on July 10, 1999, she approached a government witness who pretended to be a customer and offered him several women for a price.
Judge Manglona said the video which was used as an evidence captured the defendant who was promoting prostitution at that time. He said all efforts must be made to ensure that the prostitution business is stopped in Garapan.
“The court found that she is a key promoter of prostitution on the island,” Judge Manglona said. He added that Ms. Zhen offered the witness several women for $70 an hour.
Defense lawyer Bill Campbell has asked the court for leniency in sentencing the accused as he sought only two to three months incarceration and suspension of the rest of the time supposed to be served. He said Ms. Zhen could later on leave the Commonwealth voluntarily.
While the court is correct in sending the message that prostitution is a crime, Mr. Campbell said it might also back fire since the evidence presented was not strong.
