MADAM GOING TO PRISON

Julie Moya, a 47 year old alleged madam of a high-priced prostitution ring that prosecutors said used underage girls and supplied drugs for customers, was arraigned on charges of promoting prostitution and bail was set at $500,000.  Moya denies that she hired underage girls.  Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bassiur said She personally supplied a 15 year old with a fake New York State identification card.  He said the girl was told to use the ID card if any customer questioned her age and she was ordered to be a thoroughbred in bed.

At a hearing on February 14, 2005, Bassiur said his office was investigating whether Moya directed that children be kidnapped, smuggled and forced into sexual service for her.  She allegedly operated the multimillion-dollar midtown brothel Julie's of New York.

Moya pleaded not guilty on March 8 to the 56-count indictment that charged her with promoting prostitution with a person under 16 and statutory rape, as well as other crimes.  More than 30 people have been criminally charged in connection with the ring since authorities raided Moya's home and her West Side business, including more than half a dozen customers and several men who recruited women for Moya.  She remained held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Moya admitted on June 28 that she ran a prostitution ring in Manhattan.  She was promised a sentence of 2 1/2 years to 5 years in prison for the guilty plea to a single charge of running a protitution ring from July 2002 to April 2004.

Moya was sentenced to 2 1/2 to 5 years in prison on July 27.

(New York)