July 12, 2007
PHOENIX -- Phoenix police made two arrests in a monthslong investigation of a suspected child prostitution operation that involved at least three teenage girls, one of whom the main suspect branded, authorities said Thursday.
Vice detectives served a search warrant late Wednesday, Sgt. Joel Tranter said, a day after they arrested Shawn Lamar Bailey, 40, and Charmaine Lee, 22.
Bailey was booked on two counts of child prostitution, six other prostitution-related charges and a charge of conducting a criminal enterprise. He also faces one count of aggravated assault for allegedly branding one of the three teens he was actively prostituting, Tranter said.
Lee was booked on one count each of child prostitution, pandering and conducting a criminal enterprise.
The girls involved in the case range in age from 14 to 17, Tranter said. Two adult women were also being prostituted by Bailey, Tranter said.
