Police say teen ran prostitution ring while jailed

A 17-year-old inmate is accused of orchestrating a prostitution ring from behind bars in an attempt to pay his $75,000 bond on unrelated charges.

Thaishaun Hunter was charged as an adult on Monday with leading organized crime, second-degree promotion of prostitution and promoting commercial sex abuse of a minor, in addition to six first-degree assault charges.

Police believe his 16-year-old girlfriend, 14-year-old brother and mother also were involved, according to court documents. Hunter already was being held for his alleged role in a Jan. 26 drive-by shooting. Reached on Thursday, Hunter’s public defender Derek Reid declined to comment.

Primary investigator Cpl. M.J. Rose started monitoring Hunter’s calls from Spokane County juvenile detention center because witnesses to the January shooting reported “vague threats posted via online social media.” There he heard Hunter speaking to his girlfriend, and mother of his child. Hunter was anxious to post bail. She responded, “I’m doing my best, I can post tonight, I can make money tonight.”

Investigators continued to monitor calls, later implicating Hunter’s brother, another female and Hunter’s mother, court records say.

Police searched an online sex forum, finding a phone number linked to Hunter’s girlfriend and registered with Hunter’s mother. Investigators believe Hunter’s mother received some of the earnings, court records say. A call between Hunter and his brother indicates they made $1,000 in eight hours.

Local and federal law enforcement investigated Hunter on an often-used prostitution website. They found numerous postings listing Hunter’s girlfriend’s phone number. They subpoenaed the website and the phone company to obtain records that investigators believe link the phone numbers and emails to Hunter. Additionally, Rose posed as an interested client and negotiated a “paid sex act” with the girl and another woman — who both confirmed they worked with Hunter.

Hunter’s bond was raised to $100,000 at a hearing Monday.