Houston police bust high-dollar call girl ring
I wondered why some really fine girls were AWOL from the clubs, now I know why-Dudester
Police: Madam called herself 'Heidi Fleiss of Houston'
10:54 AM CDT on Tuesday, March 17, 2009
HOUSTON – Police said Monday that they busted a high-priced prostitution ring and arrested a woman who refers to herself as the "Heidi Fleiss of Houston."
Deborah Turbiville and her husband, Charlie, are accused of running what police describe as one of the biggest call girl operations the city has ever seen. Deborah Turbiville, who was arrested at her West Houston home last week, went before a judge Monday morning on a charge of promotion of prostitution.
A client list seized by police includes more than 1,500 names, including professional athletes, doctors and lawyers, according to investigators.
Investigators said Deborah Turbiville used Craig's List to recruit girls into the ring. Undercover investigators said the women, who charged about $350 an hour, would meet clients at upscale hotels or at a luxurious three-bedroom apartment.
Houston police Sgt. Mark Kilty told the Houston Chronicle that extensive background checks, including employment records and income levels, were conducted before the Turbivilles would allow clients access to the lavish apartment where eight to 15 women worked.
"If you didn't have at least $300 a session, you couldn't get in the door," Kilty said.
Computer forensics experts are dissecting hard drives to complete the client list. They have already uncovered several names through credit card receipts.
The Houston Police Department's Vice Division began working the case two years ago after the arrest of a prostitute who was advertising on the Internet. The prostitute told police about a call girl ring and a madam known as "Vivian." Police later learned that "Vivian" was an alias used by Deborah Turbiville.
Police said Deborah Turbiville ran several Web sites over the years, including viviansfriends.com and houstongirlfriend.com.
After Deborah Turbiville's arrest, police seized more than 50 pounds of paperwork and a safe full of gold bars and coins. Investigators believe the Turbivilles invested money from the prostitution ring in precious metals, and they expect to file money-laundering charges against the couple.
Police also confiscated about $40,000 cash, a Lexus and a Chevy Tahoe.
Investigators are trying to track down women who are believed to have worked for the Turbivilles. They also plan to interview people whose names appear on the client list.
Police: Madam called herself 'Heidi Fleiss of Houston'
10:54 AM CDT on Tuesday, March 17, 2009
HOUSTON – Police said Monday that they busted a high-priced prostitution ring and arrested a woman who refers to herself as the "Heidi Fleiss of Houston."
Deborah Turbiville and her husband, Charlie, are accused of running what police describe as one of the biggest call girl operations the city has ever seen. Deborah Turbiville, who was arrested at her West Houston home last week, went before a judge Monday morning on a charge of promotion of prostitution.
A client list seized by police includes more than 1,500 names, including professional athletes, doctors and lawyers, according to investigators.
Investigators said Deborah Turbiville used Craig's List to recruit girls into the ring. Undercover investigators said the women, who charged about $350 an hour, would meet clients at upscale hotels or at a luxurious three-bedroom apartment.
Houston police Sgt. Mark Kilty told the Houston Chronicle that extensive background checks, including employment records and income levels, were conducted before the Turbivilles would allow clients access to the lavish apartment where eight to 15 women worked.
"If you didn't have at least $300 a session, you couldn't get in the door," Kilty said.
Computer forensics experts are dissecting hard drives to complete the client list. They have already uncovered several names through credit card receipts.
The Houston Police Department's Vice Division began working the case two years ago after the arrest of a prostitute who was advertising on the Internet. The prostitute told police about a call girl ring and a madam known as "Vivian." Police later learned that "Vivian" was an alias used by Deborah Turbiville.
Police said Deborah Turbiville ran several Web sites over the years, including viviansfriends.com and houstongirlfriend.com.
After Deborah Turbiville's arrest, police seized more than 50 pounds of paperwork and a safe full of gold bars and coins. Investigators believe the Turbivilles invested money from the prostitution ring in precious metals, and they expect to file money-laundering charges against the couple.
Police also confiscated about $40,000 cash, a Lexus and a Chevy Tahoe.
Investigators are trying to track down women who are believed to have worked for the Turbivilles. They also plan to interview people whose names appear on the client list.
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