Thursday, May 31, 2007

South Robinson Hooker Gets a Little 'Seaman;' Navy Disinterested in What their Personnel Do in Uniform

5/31/07 -- OKC, OK - Video Vigilante Brian Bates catches a Navy seaman taking a street prostitute to a local hotel. When the Navy is contacted, they reportedly couldn't care less.

Yesterday afternoon Bates witnessed a known black female street prostitute soliciting along South Robinson Ave in Oklahoma City.

Minutes later a car stops in a neighborhood park and picked the prostitute up.

The two then drove to a hotel on South I-35 known for prostitution and drug activities.

Unfortunately, this hotel is also home to several families experiencing financial hardships.

The Navy seaman and the hooker go into a room that obviously belonged to the female.

Several minutes later the two emerge. The man is buttoning the shirt on his uniform.

When Bates exited his vehicle to approach the man and woman, both fled the area.

Online sources identify the uniform as a Navy seamen constructionman.

Bates placed a call to the US Navy in Oklahoma.

Bates says the Lt. who answered the phone was initially helpful and confirmed the uniform appeared to be one of theirs.

However, Bates says that after he disclosed the man's actions with the hooker, the Navy Lt. quickly tried to end the call. "He didn't want a copy of the video, he didn't want the man's name (which was on the paper tag in the car's window) and he wasn't concerned with what Navy personnel did while in uniform (shaming it no-less)," said Bates.

Bates says the navy Lt. told him to call police and not the Navy.

Tomorrow (June 1) marks the beginning of 'Navy Week' in Oklahoma. Great start guys!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

OKC Police Officer Fired for Having Sex with Hooker is Back on Duty

5/29/07 -- OKC, OK - According to an article published Sunday by the Oklahoman, an Oklahoma City police officer has returned to duty after previously being fired for having sex in his patrol car with a hooker.

As previously reported on JohnTV.com, in January of last year, officer Jeff Sellers was fired after an extensive internal affairs investigation found credible evidence that Sellers had had sex, while on duty, with a known street prostitute.

The findings of investigators were turned over to then Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane. Lane refused to prosecute Sellers. JohnTV.com speculates Lane's refusal to prosecute was due to the fact he was vying for the Fraternal Order of Police's endorsement in his bid for re-election (an election he lost).

Even though Lane refused to file criminal charges, police administrators fired Sellers.

Sellers reportedly turned to the police union and arbitration in retaliation for the firing.

An arbitrator later decided Sellers should not have been fired. A binding arbitration agreement between the city and the police union required them to honor the arbitrators decision.

If you have additional information on this case (i.e. details of the investigation, a photo pf Sellers or what capacity Sellers is working as a police officer) please contact JohnTV.com.

Additional Resources:

  1. Former D.A. Lane tells FOP members he would have to be on crack to file charges against an officer while needing their support - FOX25 Reports
  2. Video clip of a retired OCPD high ranking officer caught by the Vide Vigilante with a hooker.
  3. Website dedicated to reporting Oklahoma law officers in the news.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

JohnTV.com Update: Video Views Soar!

5/24/07 -- OKC, OK - On the 6th of this month we reported that in only 6 months, JohnTV.com's videos on YouTube had been viewed by just over 1-million individuals. As good as that news is, the last 18 days have proved to be even more exciting. As of this morning, YouTube.com reports our views at 1,566,332. That is over half a million views in only 18 days! Additional Resources:
  1. JohnTV.com's YouTube account.
  2. Directory of videos on YouTube by category.
  3. Previous article (5/6/07)

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Man Sentenced to Prison for Immigrant Prostitution Ring with Oklahoma Ties

5/15/07 -- (CBS 42) AUSTIN - A U.S. District Court in Austin, TX sentenced Mexico native Francisco Castillo-Celaya to five years in federal prison for his role in an Austin prostitution ring and in running a brothel in Oklahoma City. Castillo-Celaya will also be placed under supervised release for three years after completing his prison term.

Castillo-Celaya pleaded guilty Feb. 2 to one count each of interstate transportation for prostitution, conspiracy to smuggle, transport and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and harboring aliens for prostitution.

A co-defendant, Jose Cedeno-Zetina (aka Antonio Cedeno-Zetina) is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. on May 4. Bertha (aka "Norma") Jiminez, Cecilia Maria Roberson (aka "Maria Perez" and "Lila") and Francisco’s brother, Emilio Castillo-Celaya, are wanted in the case but remain at large.

Prosecutors say the defendants were involved in a prostitution ring from November 2002 to June 29, 2006. On that day United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Internal Revenue Service conducted raids on brothels in Austin, Dallas and Oklahoma City. Francisco Castillo-Celaya was arrested in Oklahoma City. He had previously managed the organization’s brothel operations in Austin and Dallas.

'Hot Dogs for the Homeless' Founder Credited with Taking Prostitute Off the Streets

5/15/07 -- OKC, OK - A local man with a simple plan - to serve a fresh hotdog, handshake and a friendly smile to the homeless in downtown Oklahoma City.

Rick Swyden, 46, is known as "the hot dog man" to the hundreds of homeless individuals and families he comes into contact with every Sunday afternoon.

Swyden reportedly got the idea for 'Hot dogs for the Homeless' five years ago after his conscience lead him to perform a single selfless act - buying one man a meal. "That's a life changing experience of feeding this man ... I tell you, giving is awfully addictive," said Swyden during a recently published CBS News interview.

Swyden says that his small group of volunteers serve about 300 meals each Sunday. Swyden has even expanded his efforts to include other food items, clothing and much needed referrals to those looking for a way out of homelessness, addiction and life on the streets.

One of Swyden's success stories is that of a woman who was living on the streets and prostituting herself to support her drug habit.

Swyden was able to help the women kick her drug addiction; a step which has allowed her to hold down two jobs and even rent an apartment of her own.

Through the simple kindness of a hot meal, Swyden says that often trust is built and through that trust can come miracles.

Additional Resources;

  1. CBS Evening News 'Assignment America' broadcast on Swyden.
  2. CBS Evening News - article.
  3. 'Hot Dogs for the Homeless' Web site.
  4. 'Hot Dog Man' Saves Lives Of Homeless, Prostitutes (KUTV - 4/21/07)
  5. OKsister.com article.

Washington State Employee Charged in Okla. Gets 5th Court Delay

5/15/07 -- OKC, OK - A Washington DOT employee, arrested last year for allegedly soliciting an undercover police informant for prostitution, is granted his 5th trial delay.

John William Dunn, 45, was arrested September 20, after he reportedly told two women posing as street prostitutes that, " he was looking for a 'blow job.'"

According to court records, Dunn then offered one of the women $20 for the requested sex act.

Dunn, a branch manager with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation, was reportedly in Oklahoma City attending meetings at the expense of Washington tax payers.

JohnTV.com was the first to report on Dunn's arrest.

Dunn was subsequently charged with misdemeanor offering to engage in an act of lewdness.

Since being charged, Dunn has requested and been granted 5 delays in his trial.

Dunn's initial disposition hearing was scheduled for November 30, of last year - six delay requests later, Dunn is now set to appear before Judge Russell Hall, June 21.

Over the last several months, JohnTV.com has received several emails from individuals claiming to know Dunn or to be employed by the Washington DOT.

According to those emails, Dunn is still on the job and is claiming his arrest was a big misunderstanding. Allegedly, Dunn has told employees that he was simply asking the undercover hookers for directions (not erections).

JohnTV.com will continue to follow this story.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Video Vigilante Videos Top 1-Million Views in Only 6 Months

5/6/07 -- OKC, OK - In just over 6-months time, over 1-million people have viewed videos shot by Brian Bates, aka the Video Vigilante and founder of JohnTV.com.

In October of 2006, JohnTV.com began publishing videos on the popular Internet video sharing Web site YouTube under the username VideoVigilanteOKC.

As of this morning, YouTube calculates that Bates' videos have been viewed just over 1-million times.

Bates currently has 43 videos on YouTube and adds videos on a regular basis.

According to YouTube, the most viewed top 5 videos by Bates are;

  1. Man Picks Up Hooker and Has Sex in Public Park (120,000+ views).
  2. Man Has Sex with Street Hooker Behind Church (108,000+ views).
  3. Biker has sex with hooker next to building (107,000+ views).
  4. Hooker and 'John' Busted in Store Parking Lot (100,000+ views).
  5. Prostitute Near School Bus Stop (82,000+ views).

Bates lists his 5 'must see' videos so far as;

  1. Prostitution in Oklahoma City - Robinson Minute 03/2007 (9,000+ views).
  2. Segment from Video Vigilantes Special (470+ views).
  3. Hypocrisy of Oklahoma City Vice - Caught in a Lie! (31,000+ views).
  4. Interview with Yvonne; Oklahoma Street Prostitute (30,000+ views).
  5. Interview with "Fire," a Street Prostitute (16,000+ views).

Bates says it is no surprise that his list of his favorite videos is different than what most of his viewers are watching.

"Unfortunately, the videos of people actually getting caught having sex with a street prostitute are far more popular that the one's that deliver an obvious message about the plight of prostitutes and neighborhoods held hostage by their presence," said Bates.

Bates says it is that very reason that he shoots his graphic videos and publishes them online.

"I can tell people there are hookers working our street corners, having sex in our parks and grocery store parking lots. I can explain that they discard their used condoms and drug needles for our children to find. And, I can try and convince them that the pimps, hookers and their 'Johns' pose a real danger to families and businesses. But, when I show them the videos, they see it for themselves and they can no longer deny its presence," said Bates.

Bates says that if people come to his Web site to see the 'graphic videos' he is okay with that. "My goal is to initiate dialogue on the subject of prostitution. Hopefully through that dialogue solutions will be realized. Whatever a person's reason for visiting my site, it is not as important to me as what they leave with. I know that you cannot leave without being exposed to the graphic realities of prostitution that must be addressed and dealt with," said Bates.

Bates' videos have gained him and his activism notoriety since he first picked up his video camera in 1996.

Bates says that while some may question his motives in filming acts of street prostitution he says it is all worth it.

"Prostitution has been in our society from the beginning. In that time there have been literally thousands of outspoken anti-prostitution activists. While the names of madams such as Heidi Fleiss and Deborah Jeane Palfrey (DC Madam) may be household names, I defy most Americans to name a single anti-prostitution activist," said Bates.

Bates says he is using his camera to shed light on the myths of prostitution and show it for what it really is. "Reality television doesn't get any more real than what I see with my own eyes and lens," said Bates.

While Bates and his crusade against street prostitution may not have made him as recognizable a name as those who would have you believe prostitution is simply a misunderstood profession, Bates' efforts have gained worldwide attention.

Bates argues that since he picked up his camera, over 10-years ago, there has not been another individual who has been featured more by the media for video vigilantism and anti-street prostitution efforts.

Friday, May 4, 2007

OKC Vice Outed as Incompetent and Former D.A. Lane Proved to be a Liar - FOX25 EXCLUSIVE

5/4/07 -- OKC, OK - As previously reported, jurors who unanimously acquitted local attorney Mike Gassaway said they did so because it was obvious Gassaway had been setup by members of the Oklahoma City Vice Unit. As published in the Daily Oklahoman... "There was little debate Tuesday as an Oklahoma County jury decided attorney Mike Gassaway was not guilty of soliciting sex from a client. 'It was an easy decision,' juror Roxy Hakin said after the three-man, three-woman panel deliberated for about half an hour. Hakin, 26, said jurors were swayed by defense attorney Scott Adams' argument that the 56-year-old Oklahoma City attorney was set up by police." A the center of the prosecution's case were two taped recordings, secretly made by confidential informant Christina Davidson. The police, prosecutors and former Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane proclaimed to the public that those recordings would be Gassaway's undoing. In reality, it was those very recordings that proved Gassaway's allegation that he had been targeted and setup by a vindictive and incompetent OKC Vice Unit and former D.A. Lane. The reason? Gassaway is often critical of city leaders and has taken legal action against the city and police in the past. To add insult to injury, Vice's own confidential informant and witness for the prosecution (Davidson) had secretly double-crossed vice and was wearing her own wire when she met with them. Police allegedly call Gassaway a "scum bag," "a bad lawyer," and even "Satan." Oklahoma City Vice officers go so far as to tell Davidson she would be their "hero if she helped get Gassaway." And who are the Vice officers at the center of this case of incompetence? Officers Jason Hodges and Christopher (Chris) Swanson. Officers can even been heard to ask Davidson, "Did you get sassy with him [Gassaway]?" As FOX25 News pointed out in their recent exclusive follow-up story, when Gassaway was arrested, then Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane blatantly told several lies to the public. Lane's lies were an attempt to gain public support while serving to embarrass Gassaway and deprive him of a fair trial. Former D.A. Lane, who calls himself the 'Minister of Justice,' began spinning his lies from the day of Gassaway's arrest. In a statement released to the media, Lane made several assertions. "This female [Davidson] had originally been arrested by another law enforcement agency on a routine traffic stop at which time drug paraphernalia was found in her car." In reality, Davidson was not "stopped" at all. OHP responded to a citizen call of a woman passed out behind the wheel of her car that was on the side of the highway. More importantly, Davidson had much more on her than simple "drug paraphernalia." Davidson admitted to police she had recently done drugs and was in possession of cocaine and meth. Furthermore, Davidson was not even "arrested," as stated by Lane. Though Davidson could have been charged with numerous felony crimes, she was driven home and tucked into bed by police after she agreed to help them setup Gassaway. "Without any promises made to her..." Again, Lane refuses to let the facts get in the way of a good story to the public. In reality, Davidson testified that she was promised she would not face any charges for driving high, and being in the possession of drugs if she helped police. Additionally, Davidson testified that OKC Vice told her they would take care of her boyfriends latest felony DUI charge. "Finally, on the night of his arrest, Mr. Gassaway and his attorney, Scott Adams, claimed that Gassaway was nothing other than the innocent victim of my office and the Oklahoma City Police Department." Seems those assertions by Gassaway and Adams were justified by the jurors acquittal and subsequent comments to the media. "In response to Mr. Gassaway and his lawyer's claim that the only guilty people in this matter work for me and the police, I'll just say this - This entire matter was recorded and real men don't make excuses and they don't blame other people for their own moral failures. I would encourage Mr. Adams and Mr. Gassaway to stop blaming other people and start excepting some responsibility." JohnTV.com's only response to this arrogant statement by the "Minister of Justice" is that we encourage Lane to "start accepting responsibility" and admit to what was so painfully obvious to the jurors and citizens of Oklahoma County - the same citizens that saw through your B.S. and voted you out of office last year - you are an evil, self-absorbed man and a hypocrite to your faith you wear so pompously on your sleeve. The Gassaway case is a blatant example of how Oklahoma City Vice, with the full knowledge and encouragement of the D.A.'s office, are willing and able to use their trusted position in society to enforce their will over enforcing the law. Read more about Oklahoma City Vice in our ongoing investigative article "the seedy side of vice." You can also watch another example of Vice's willingness to lie and deceive the public by clicking here.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Newly Elected Oklahoma County D.A. David Prater Launches Web site; Former D.A. Lane Refuses to Remove His

5/3/07 -- Okla. Co., OK - Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater recently launched new Internet presence. Meanwhile recently booted out of office former Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane continues to refuse to stop impersonating the current D.A. on his Web site. Just the other day, we here at JohnTV.com were Googling the names of District Attorneys and prosecutors in and around Oklahoma County.That's when we realized two things; One, Prater now has a presence on the Web as Oklahoma County's D.A. and, two, the former "Minister of Justice" (now minister of unemployment) Wes Lane is still claiming his site to be "The Official Web site of the Oklahoma County District Attorney C. Wesley Lane II." So much so that Lane's site falsely reports on "Job Openings at the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office." The first thing we noticed was that D.A. Prater's Web site was much more professional looking than Lane's previous/current site (see side-by-side comparison here). We're not sure when D.A. Prater's site was published, but records show the domain name was purchased January 30th (and for only one year, now that's not very optimistic!). The site seems to still be a work in progress as there is no calendar of upcoming events on behalf of the D.A.'s office and many topics have yet to have any content. In particular, JohnTV.com hopes to see more information under the "prostitution" heading. D.A. Prater states his goal as, "...to ensure justice is available for all people of Oklahoma County, regardless of race, creed, religion, or socioeconomic status and in so doing, maintaining unprecedented transparency in County Government." You can read D.A. Prater's site for yourself at http://www.districtattorneyprater.com/.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Police Arrest 7 Women Overnight for Prostitution

5/1/07 -- OKC, OK - Okla. Co., OK - According to the Oklahoma County jail blotter, 7 women were arrested overnight and booked into the Oklahoma County jail on prostitution related charges. Arrested were;
  1. Raeanna Antonette Allen Black female DOB: 7/8/80 OKC, OK Charge: Offering to engage.
  2. Billi Bates White female DOB: 1/16/75 OKC, OK Charge: Offering to engage.
  3. Ardelia M. Davis Black female DOB: 10/10/60 OKC, OK Charge: Offering to engage.
  4. Marquitta L. Lowrey Black female DOB: 7/4/78 Del City, OK Charge: Offering to engage.
  5. DuJuania R. Marks Black female DOB: 10/6/79 OKC, OK Charge: Offering to engage.
  6. Carlette J. McCoy Black female DOB: 8/18/83 Edmond, OK Charges: Offering to engage and drug paraphernalia.
  7. Kiarie McNeil Black female DOB: 9/12/83 MWC, OK Charges: Offering to engage and drug paraphernalia.

No additional information was available at the time of this posting. See all archived arrests here. Read about other Oklahoman's arrested for various crimes here.