Feature Story

In the Wake of the Sting:
An Intimate Glimpse Into One Defendant’s Life After Warm Sands

*Two weeks ago I received this letter from the partner of one of the defendants who articulated so well what has happened to them post arrest. I knew I had to contact them to seek permission to publish it as a sobering example of the real damage and challenges so many defendants are now facing.
I applaud the courage and commitment it took for the gentlemen in this letter to step forward publicly on the matter by allowing The BottomLine to publish it. I encourage other Warm Sands defendants to step forward, fight for your rights and tell us your story by emailing me at pjmaytag@psbottomline.com.*

“Thanks for your excellent reporting on this case. My lover (Raul) and I have been suffering since he was charged last year and it's heartening to have someone take up this cause. Our lawyer, from the get-go, was informed by the assistant DA that there was an agreement between the DA and Police and that 314 charges would be pursued regardless of the circumstances. They had it on video and that was it. No leeway or negotiation was possible. The DA was practically salivating because she assumed Raul was a Mexican national (He's a US citizen of Cuban origin) and his case would be a slam-dunk-deport.  I'm sure the DA assumed we would all roll over and plead guilty to avoid the embarrassment of it all.
Now the case has spun on for over a year, Raul is out of work, the legal bills accrue, and he is fearful to search for work since it will likely reveal the charge. Otherwise, his record is spotless. So we wait.
And all for what? An eighty second grainy video shot in a pitch-black alcove of a gay resort hidden completely from the street. Honestly, it couldn't have possibly been a better setup for a sting-studio. When we returned the following night, I was struck by how easy it would have been to simply install some lighting to discourage activity. My partner and I were going through a bad patch (we've been together 14 years). Of course, the decoy was a handsome cop that spoke and gestured suggestively. Raul was flattered and responded to it. He did something completely out of character, caught himself, and exited quickly. He was arrested as he returned to his car.
The audio that accompanied the video was from the undercover van. I'm really surprised the cops didn't edit that out because it does contain some pretty crude language. Your typical nervous straight guy derogatory/macho stuff. Of course, there is no audio from the alcove. But really, that doesn't bother either of us much. Cops are cops. Selecting them based on "sensitivity" probably isn't the best idea in the world. We sure don't pay them enough to be tough and sensitive.
Some more back-story from our lawyer. Yes, I'm sure the residents of Warm Springs get sick to death of all the late night shenanigans. The police chief himself went over to see what it was all about in an unmarked car with tinted windows. Low and behold, a couple started going at it, full on intercourse, on top of the hood in plain sight. Apparently this is what really got the chief all amped up with 314 charges.  Trouble is, these cases aren't in the same league but who cares?
Now, on to the public interest. How does forcing Raul to register as a sex offender benefit the public? I'd argue that it is against the public's interest. Really, do we want these guys to be the focus of a police manhunt when someone goes missing? How is that possibly going to serve the public interest?”
Sincerely,
Carlson Peters