Tucson Prostitution Case: Defendants Skip Key Settlement Conference

A Tucson couple, Clarissa Lopez and Ulises Ruiz, missed a court hearing on Monday concerning their alleged involvement in operating a series of illegal massage parlors known as the “By Spanish” prostitution ring. The couple faces multiple felony charges related to the operation, which reportedly lasted over four years across various locations in Tucson.

According to records from the Tucson Police Department and Pima County Superior Court, both Lopez and Ruiz were indicted in February 2016 on six felony counts. These charges include illegal control of an enterprise, maintaining a house of prostitution, receiving earnings from prostitution, and money laundering. Additionally, Lopez faces two extra felony counts of pandering, linked to her recruitment of women for prostitution.

In July, after several months of motions, hearings, and status conferences, a trial date was set for April 4; however, this was vacated shortly before the date due to the scheduling of a case settlement conference.

Lopez’s attorney, Cornelia Honchar, expressed frustration at the court’s media attendance during the hearing, emphasizing that settlement conferences are typically private. Judge Howard Fell, who had previously granted media access to the courtroom, had not indicated he would honor Honchar’s request to shift the conference out of view. The absence of Lopez and Ruiz after the scheduled start time led Judge Fell to conclude the conference would not proceed, stating that he would not conduct them without the defendants present.

Attempts by both attorneys to reach their clients revealed that Ruiz was unaware of the conference, as it conflicted with his work schedule. Although Judge Fell refrained from issuing bench warrants for their absence, a status conference was already on the docket for the following morning.

The case traces back to a police raid in January 2015, during which evidence was collected from ten properties linked to the investigation. Additionally, authorities found that a former employee of “By Spanish,” Stephanie Garcia, had opened a new establishment named “Daisy’s Delights.” During this investigation, several prominent local government employees, including firefighters and Border Patrol agents, were identified as clients. Notably, eight Tucson police employees who were implicated in the business were terminated from their positions, though no legal action has been taken against them.

In a related development, Garcia herself faces eight felony charges similar to those against Lopez and Ruiz, and her trial is scheduled to begin on April 11 before Judge Paul Tang. Deputy Pima County Attorney Bruce Chalk is overseeing both matters.