After a months-long investigation into a prostitution business run out of apartments in Dunwoody and Atlanta, 56 people have been arrested, police said.
MORE: Local prosecutor among 56 arrested in Georgia prostitution sting
Sam Crenshaw, his wife Darliene Crenshaw, both of Marietta, and George Moore of Sandy Springs are accused of owning and operating a commercial sex enterprise, Dunwoody police Chief Billy Grogan said Wednesday.
Darliene Crenshaw was arrested Tuesday, while her husband and Moore were two of seven people busted Dec. 29.
The three alleged owners are charged with keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, sex trafficking and violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
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Grogan said one of the two escort services was being run out of the Savannah at Park Place apartments located across the street from Dunwoody Police Department headquarters.
In addition to the “Gold Club” escorts, a second escort service known as “Lipstick and Shoes” was being run out of another Dunwoody apartment complex and two apartment complexes in Atlanta, Grogan said.
Police from multiple metro area jurisdictions arrested a total of 29 alleged escorts and 24 men accused of hiring escorts for the purpose of sexual activity.
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Gwinnett County Assistant District Attorney Christopher Quinn is facing pandering and racketeering charges in connection with the sting. Quinn turned himself in to police Tuesday.
DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston said prosecutors plan to go after the men accused of patronizing the business, too.
“Traditionally, buyers have gotten a slap on the wrist,” Boston said.
But she said she hopes to send a message to the community that this type of crime won’t be tolerated.
Grogan said the Perimeter area has its share of sex trafficking crime partly because of its location, near major highways, and its affluent population.
Many of the apartments used by members of the commercial sex organization were “very nice,” Grogan said.
While police believe all the women accused were involved in their alleged crimes willingly, Boston said each case will be evaluated individually and charges have not been decided for all 29 alleged prostitutes.
Grogan credits the start of the investigation to a concerned citizen who came forward.
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"We can never have enough officers on the road," Grogan said. Police are seeking information about a woman who disappeared toward the end of the police investigation. Grogan said officers do not know her name and are concerned about her safety because of the timing of her disappearance and the busts.If you suspect that someone is being forced into sexual servitude or participating in prostitution activities in Dunwoody, please contact us at 678.382.6908 or ANONYMOUS TIPS may be submitted via the SUBMIT A CRIME TIP tab at www.dunwoodypolice.com, or by texting C-R-I-M-E-S (274-637). Use the key word DPDTIPS at the start of your message. Each of these methods is confidential, encrypted, and completely anonymous.
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