Michael Harris
09-11-2003, 11:02 AM
Pem. Twp. bondsman pleads guilty
Prosecutor: Goal was to take license
By Mike Mathis, BCT staff writer
Mount Holly – Shortly before a jury was seated to hear his case, a bail bondsman charged with forcing women into prostitution after they were released on bail pleaded guilty yesterday to promoting prostitution.
Ross H. Spath, 53, of Pemberton Township faces an undetermined probationary term and a $1,000 fine when sentenced Jan. 9.
Spath owns and operates Quick Bail Bonds in Pemberton Borough. He also will lose his bail-bond license, Burlington County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor James A. Ronca said.
That was the primary goal of prosecutors, who conceded Spath probably would not have been sentenced to prison had he been convicted because he has no prior record.
Spath faced up to five years in prison if he had been convicted of promoting prostitution and conspiracy to promote prostitution. He was indicted on those charges in January 2001.
"Our primary goal was to do whatever we could to make sure Mr. Spath could not work as a bail bondsman so he could engage in behavior like this again," Ronca said.
Spath entered his plea on the second day of jury selection. Opening arguments were expected to begin yesterday afternoon.
Spath acknowledged to Superior Court Judge Thomas S. Smith Jr. that he posted bail for prostitutes and referred them to a man and woman who operated escort services, according to Ronca.
The two pleaded guilty last year for roles in the alleged scheme and were expected to testify against Spath.
In a written statement, Spath said he never forced women to engage in, prostitution.
Prosecutors alleged Spath bailed women out of jail, then forced them to repay the bail money by working for two escort services that were fronts for prostitution.
Spath said he pleaded guilty to spare himself, his family and his friends from the embarrassment testimony in the trial would have brought.
"Contrary to the state's initial allegations, I have never been an owner of a prostitution ring, nor did I share in the proceeds of such an enterprise,” Spath said in the statement. "I never coerced or compelled any person into becoming or remaining a prostitute."
The investigation that led to Spath's arrest began in June 2000 when the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Maple Shade Police Department developed information about prostitution and escort services in Burlington and Camden counties, authorities said.
The escort services operated of Clover Motel in Maple Shade and Roof Inn in Mount Laurel, officials said.
Half a year ago, I tried to contact PI firms in the area. Mr. Spath was the only one who was willing to talk to me. He is a licensed PI, but said that it was too hard to make a living at it, so he concentrated on his bail bond business. He asked me to join him in the bail bond business and I said that I would consider it. I waited too long to make my decision and when I did, he could only hire licensed bail bondsmen. His business was in trouble.
Had I joined his firm when offered, I would have a bail bond license by now, but my reputation would have suffered. It is interesting how GOD watches over us.
Prosecutor: Goal was to take license
By Mike Mathis, BCT staff writer
Mount Holly – Shortly before a jury was seated to hear his case, a bail bondsman charged with forcing women into prostitution after they were released on bail pleaded guilty yesterday to promoting prostitution.
Ross H. Spath, 53, of Pemberton Township faces an undetermined probationary term and a $1,000 fine when sentenced Jan. 9.
Spath owns and operates Quick Bail Bonds in Pemberton Borough. He also will lose his bail-bond license, Burlington County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor James A. Ronca said.
That was the primary goal of prosecutors, who conceded Spath probably would not have been sentenced to prison had he been convicted because he has no prior record.
Spath faced up to five years in prison if he had been convicted of promoting prostitution and conspiracy to promote prostitution. He was indicted on those charges in January 2001.
"Our primary goal was to do whatever we could to make sure Mr. Spath could not work as a bail bondsman so he could engage in behavior like this again," Ronca said.
Spath entered his plea on the second day of jury selection. Opening arguments were expected to begin yesterday afternoon.
Spath acknowledged to Superior Court Judge Thomas S. Smith Jr. that he posted bail for prostitutes and referred them to a man and woman who operated escort services, according to Ronca.
The two pleaded guilty last year for roles in the alleged scheme and were expected to testify against Spath.
In a written statement, Spath said he never forced women to engage in, prostitution.
Prosecutors alleged Spath bailed women out of jail, then forced them to repay the bail money by working for two escort services that were fronts for prostitution.
Spath said he pleaded guilty to spare himself, his family and his friends from the embarrassment testimony in the trial would have brought.
"Contrary to the state's initial allegations, I have never been an owner of a prostitution ring, nor did I share in the proceeds of such an enterprise,” Spath said in the statement. "I never coerced or compelled any person into becoming or remaining a prostitute."
The investigation that led to Spath's arrest began in June 2000 when the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Maple Shade Police Department developed information about prostitution and escort services in Burlington and Camden counties, authorities said.
The escort services operated of Clover Motel in Maple Shade and Roof Inn in Mount Laurel, officials said.
Half a year ago, I tried to contact PI firms in the area. Mr. Spath was the only one who was willing to talk to me. He is a licensed PI, but said that it was too hard to make a living at it, so he concentrated on his bail bond business. He asked me to join him in the bail bond business and I said that I would consider it. I waited too long to make my decision and when I did, he could only hire licensed bail bondsmen. His business was in trouble.
Had I joined his firm when offered, I would have a bail bond license by now, but my reputation would have suffered. It is interesting how GOD watches over us.