Desert Divas' prostitution busts still going on

Dozens more suspects have been identified in a major Valley prostitution bust.

This is the second wave of arrests in the so-called 'Desert Divas' operation. Around a dozen women, ranging in age from 19 to 47 are part of this new wave of Desert Divas arrests. One of them was a county jail guard. (see a few articles below for her story)

In addition to these women facing money laundering and prostitution charges, Phoenix police also arrested others involved in the operation.

Four men called VIP customers have also been indicted for helping. Police say they had spent time with the prostitutes, evaluate their performance on the escort website.

The VIP customers' entries are too explicit to explain any further. Lt. John Collins explains, “They were rating them in the erotic review. Special customers getting special prices and helping promote and they were doing a good business.”

It is estimated they were raking in around $250,000 month. The ringleader lived in a Paradise Valley home.

Officers made a first round of arrests last August, followed up by the dozens more announced on Friday.

Police say they are still going through the Desert Divas computer records and more arrests could follow.

Detention officer arrested, charged with prostitution

One of Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s detention officers was arrested and charged with prostitution.

A news release from MCSO indicates 23-year-old Jillian Lybarger was taken into custody on Wednesday night by Phoenix police officers and is charged with prostitution. She reportedly worked with the sheriff’s department for a little over a year.

Lybarger was part of a second round of arrests in connection with a prostitution ring referred to as “Desert Divas.” She was placed on administrative leave.

Lybarger was booked into jail but was later released

More Arrests in Online Prostitution Ring here in Arizona

Phoenix police have arrested six more people suspected of being involved in a three-state prostitution ring.

Authorities said Sean Carter, 39, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of offenses including money laundering, running a house of prostitution, receiving the earnings of a prostitute, pandering and use of wire or electronic communication in prostitution.

Five women also were taken into custody, all who allegedly worked as escorts for the ring which authorities said spanned Arizona, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

Michelle Lea Evans, 23, Delain Hunt, 41, Ivie Johnson, 22, Tiffany Nelson, 20, and Tanya Powers, 27 were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and illegal participation of an enterprise were

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said 55 people were indicted in July on 17 felony counts in connection to the prostitution ring that pulled in an estimated $250,000 per month.

Twenty-nine people have been arrested this week in connection with the case, police said. More than 100 people worked for the organization, police allege. Most were prostitutes, but many also managed the operation.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said Paradise Valley resident Paul Nichta allegedly led a criminal enterprise that made bank deposits of $250,000 a month.

Police said they seized three homes, a variety of guns and eight vehicles, including a Ferrari and Lotus.

UPDATE: Additional arrests have been made in the prostitution bust

UPDATE: Additional arrests have been made in the case.

Another key player in the organization was taken in custody Wednesday night.

Charges against Sean Carter, 39, could include conspiracy to control an illegal enterprise; illegal control of an enterprise; first degree money laundering; operating a house of prostitution; employee at a house of prostitution; pandering; receiving the earnings of a prostitute; use of a wire or electronic communication; prostitution.

Five other escorts were taken into custody. Their charges include illegal participation of an enterprise, second degree money laundering and employee at a house of prostitution.