Sosua Reports

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational; 1449712]Update to that.

"Here's the update. 7-23-10:28 am. Peter's family informed me in person that NO! Drugs were found the place was clean. He was "detained" for a previous law suit from a former employee that said he owed her money. Peter had a hearing today and several places were raided for drugs and IDs. No problems anywhere, and everything in Sosua is just fine."

But they are going after the bars much harder than before. I do find the bolded just silly, but it shows that they are ready to lock up people down there on heresay from locals.

Heard from my Dominican folks in NYC that it's happening to Dominicans who live abroad and return to the island to visit family as well. They are bigger robbery targets than tourists, since they're in their families' barrios, not tourist zones. They visit Santiago and some surrounding areas, and Santo Domingo. Things are turning for the worse down there.

Last time I was down in SDQ (July 4th wkd) passing through in Santo Domingo Este off Ave. España and Chearles de Gaulle, military on the street guarding neighborhoods. This was very different from the police checkpoint / shakedown crew. More professional, actually doing their jobs, armed and ready for whatever. Saw this a few more times in different areas of the city before I left for "safer" Boca Chica. LOL![/QUOTE]Your quote about speakingnto peters family, is from cubadave. He has since backed off his statement, after reading the report about human trafficing.

[QUOTE=Ath Trainer;1449953]Your quote about speakingnto peters family, is from cubadave. He has since backed off his statement, after reading the report about human trafficing.[/QUOTE]There is another report in English on the closure here. Note that the translation from the Dominican Public Prosecutors Office press release misses out of couple of key points about why employees were fined. Also note that an original report that appeared on the insearchofchicas discussion board (which I don't read) that said there was a Ministry of Tourism sign posted on the door at Passions was false information. The sign has a Ministerio Publico (Public Prosecutors Office) letterhead, which is shown in the article below.

[url]http://www.latintravelvip.com/authorities-rescue-women-from-la-passions-in-sosua/[/url]

I don't know who "Peter's family" are and obviously one feels sorry for anyone who is a financial dependent or child of someone who is locked up and facing serious charges, but they may not be aware of all the details, or may be trying to put on a good front to the world.

[QUOTE=Don Antonio; 1449791]Your hard-earned US tax dollars, at work.

And if you don't believe it, you are living in a bubble.

What has this world been coming to? Can't even have a mistress?

Only in America.

[url]http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/23/politics/huma-abedin-profile/index.html?hpt=hp_t1[/url][/QUOTE]The story here does not refer to someone having a mistress, nor is there any reference to anything funded by tax payers that I can see. Nor can I see any connection to Sosua, for that matter. Three strikes.

[url]http://finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-porn-ban-no-sex-105738151.html[/url]

[QUOTE=Shamester;1450020]Certainly a possibility.[/QUOTE]The funny thing is that this type of businesses rule the inner cities where there are no tourists. You pay the owner a salida or a house fee to do the deed right then and there. But it's Sosua we are talking about. A whole different ball game. The government can hate just as your friends can hate on you. If someone is believed to be making tons of money you can rest assure the local government wants their cut.

[QUOTE=Shamester;1450020]Certainly a possibility.[/QUOTE]By the way can anyone explain to me whats the difference between how business is run in Sosua as opposed to how they run Ilusiones and Passions in Santiago. Oops I forgot also Casablanca in Santiago.

It is reported that prosecutors are seeking a one year preventive custody sentence against Peter Jensen and Mariela Rodríguez Rodríguez as the ringleaders in the pandering operation at Passion's Bar and Spa in Sosua.

[url]http://www.gentetuya.com/un-ano-de-prision-preventiva-contra-propietarios-bar-en-puerto-plata-por-proxenetismo[/url]

The alleged owner of a bar where the Public Ministry on Tuesday rescued 32 women who allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation, were sentenced today to 12 months in custody on charges of pimping.

The prosecution asked for the year as a coercive measure against the two defendants to which leaders are credited with being responsible for procuring the establishment, located in Sosua.

The request was accepted by Judge Rafael Reyes Vega Osiris against Mr. Peter Jensen, of German origin, and the Dominican Mariela Rodriguez Rodriguez, alias Lupe.

http://www.hoy.com.do/provincias/2013/7/24/491216/Por-explotar-a-32-mujeres-sexualmente-responsables-de-bar-deberan-pasar

Look out for Halloween uniforms and goldfish going cheap in the flea market!

Here's another article, translation is by Google Translate so a bit rough.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP). Police officers arrested a German citizen owns a bar where they allegedly prostituted over 30 women in a tourist area in the north, reported Tuesday the Attorney General.

The detainee is Peter Jensen 48, Passion's club owner in the resort town of Sosua. 225 kilometers north of the capital. Agents also arrested the Dominican Maria Rodriguez, who ran the place.

The bar was raided and closed by the prosecution Puerto Plata, where Sosua is located, and the newly created prosecutor against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, said its boss Jonathan Baró.

In the raid 32 women were rescued who allegedly were prostituted.

Although Dominican law does not prohibit a person selling sex as a crime in itself, it is illegal to sexually exploitanother person and there are penalties of 15-20 years in prison for traffickers and their accomplices.

In early May, two Germans were arrested for managing another bar in Sosua, known as Caribbean Men's Paradise, where they allegedly prostituted at least 33 women, including a minor.

According to a study of the organization You Women and United Nations Fund for Population released this year, the Dominican Republic ranks fourth worldwide as a country of origin for women who are prostituted in other nations.

As a way to combat the trafficking and sexual exploitation, the attorney general, Francisco Dominguez, announced this year that authorities arrested customers of prostitutes and treated them as accomplices of traffickers.

Since the beginning of the season only three American tourists and as many Austrians have been arrested while trying to hire the services of prostitutes. The six men were released without charge hours after a warning not to do it again, explained Baró.

[QUOTE=Frannie; 1450117]It is reported that prosecutors are seeking a one year preventive custody sentence against Peter Jensen and Mariela Rodríguez Rodríguez as the ringleaders in the pandering operation at Passion's Bar and Spa in Sosua.

[url]http://www.gentetuya.com/un-ano-de-prision-preventiva-contra-propietarios-bar-en-puerto-plata-por-proxenetismo[/url][/QUOTE]What is "preventive custody"? Does it mean they are keeping him locked up so that he can't flee the country before they hit him with the 15-20yr sentencing?

Things seems to be heading the Cuban direction. For those mongers that are established in DR I'm sure the game will continue (for now at least). But for Mr Jensen and the 6 mongers that spent some time behind bars, DR are most likely a no-go place now. Personally I find it interesting that both The Phillipines and DR are having a crackdown and really good relationship with the great benefactor USA.

About the trafficking accusations, I doubt it! But with the frivolous use of the term I can't be 100% sure.

What I've heard the club did take a big cut of the price, ex of 3500, 1500 to the club and 2000 for the girl. Or am I wrong?

They also seemed to have rather strict working hours and fines if they were absent? Did they get a salary from the club? Reminds me a bit of this case [url]http://washingtonexaminer.com/dancer-sues-strip-club-for-unfair-labor-practices/article/2514605[/url]

I don't know if Ill return, I prefer to follow the laws in countries as DR.

[QUOTE=Frannie;1450117]Look out for Halloween uniforms and goldfish going cheap in the flea market![/QUOTE]You aint right Frannie! Hilarious!

We are a couple who have visited Sosua for around 9 years.

We remember when Passions was a lot smaller and more "Dominican"

I'm feeling a little sorry for Peter right now. It seems there are few people around to stick up for him in his time of need.

He has done a lot for mongers who visit Sosua. But. That could well be the problem if they are trying to stamp out the girls in this town.

IF Peter gets locked down. I hope some of the people who have partied there for years will feed him, but also. That really will send out a strong message that this is not a party town anymore.

Sad times for us mongers and even worse for Peter if this carries on for more than a few days.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1450128]What is "preventive custody"? Does it mean they are keeping him locked up so that he can't flee the country before they hit him with the 15-20yr sentencing?[/QUOTE]Good question. Usually, when they catch you doing someting it is standard three months they hold you before a hearing, but they are real serious on this one as they are saying a year before you go to court. Big time drug dealers that are caught get a better deal than that. If I was 305 in santo domingo, I would close up shop right away because they can shut anybody down and put you in jail. Frannie is right you will be able to meet girls in disco and bars but no brothels in the future. I just hope he is not being put in La Victoria prison for a year. I have been there and I am telling you now you do not want to go there.

As i said before a lot of robberies in Santo Domingo right now this is not going to help these girls giving money to there families and boyfriends. Does not make sense to me to close down safe well run places. You all tell me i never been there but it sounded like the place was well run.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1450128]What is "preventive custody"? Does it mean they are keeping him locked up so that he can't flee the country before they hit him with the 15-20yr sentencing?[/QUOTE]Yes, in UK terminology it would mean "remanded in custody without bail for one year" pending trial.

[QUOTE=Japansh; 1449563]If anyone have information for Passions please update us. I am arriving on Thursday and haven't pre-paid my hotel yet.

If Passions is closed my whole plan for vacation is ruined as I know 10 words in Spanish.[/QUOTE]Bring a phrase book!