A Reading man who calls himself "God" was arrested by Berks County detectives Wednesday on charges he masterminded an Internet-based call-girl operation from his home and branded his workers with such names as "God's toy" and "God's property," authorities said.
Paul S. Sewell, 44, of the 200 block of North 10th Street was arrested about 3:30 p.m. as he delivered one of his prostitutes to an undercover detective at a hotel in Wyomissing, investigators said.
District Attorney John T. Adams said the arrest of Sewell followed a nine-month investigation by members of the Berks County Drug Task Force.
"It's premature to say where this (ongoing) investigation will take us," Adams said. "But this organization has been put to rest, and we expect this activity is finished."
Sewell, who had unsuccessfully tried to change his name to "God" in Berks County Court, was awaiting arraignment late Wednesday in Reading Central Court on charges of prostitution, running a corrupt organization and related offenses.
Three of the women also were charged. Two were awaiting arraignment late Wednesday, but the third remained at large.
Sewell had a stable of up to 20 women of all ages and nationalities working at one time, Adams said. Sewell advertised on a website he controlled under the name "Cash Money Brothers" and also on Facebook and Craigslist, the DA said.
Adams said the prostitutes were photographed in explicit poses on the websites and categorized as chocolate, caramel or white, based on their skin color.
The site billed itself as an "escort service," but Adams said it was a prostitution business. Prices on the site ranged from $145 per hour to $800 for the night and $2,500 for the weekend.
Sewell told investigators the business brought in $150,000 in 2009, Adams said.
Investigators said they think some minors may have been involved, and are investigating a report that one worker was 12 years old.
After choosing a woman, investigators said, customers would call Sewell to work out the details and arrange to have sex at one of the two row houses he owned in the 200 block of North 10th and the 200 block of Fisher Court, which is directly behind the 10th Street house.
Sewell also offered to deliver the women to customers at hotels or residences as part of an "outcall service," Adams said.
Undercover investigators arranged to have sex for money with Sewell's women on three separate occasions - once at one of the city houses and two other times at hotels in Wyomissing, authorities said. Sewell delivered the women to the Wyomissing hotels, investigators said.
Police said the three women who agreed to have sex for money with the detectives were charged with prostitution and related offenses:
•Sarah L. Robertson, 22, of the 800 block of Franklin Street was arrested Wednesday when Sewell took her to the Wyomissing hotel.
•Melissa Prestash, 28, of the 900 block of Elm Street was arrested Wednesday night in her residence.
Both were awaiting arraignment.
•Christina L. Keppley, 31, of the 400 block of West Second Street, Birdsboro, remained at large.
Investigators said they are trying to identify the other women who worked for Sewell and want to learn how he recruited and controlled them.
The investigation started last year after detectives got tips from residents.
"It was unbelievable," Chief County Detective Michael J. Gombar said. "We stopped it and it needed to be stopped.
"I'm certain that Mr. Sewell has taken advantage of some ladies that have some problems."
Police said Sewell did most of his business in Berks, but expanded into some other counties. There was no indication he crossed state lines, investigators said.
Authorities said they were disturbed to see that all of the women were branded or tattooed on their backs with such names as "God's rebel." They said they will investigate to see if the operation involved human trafficking.
No customers were arrested, but investigators were carting out boxes of records and evidence from both of Sewell's properties late into the night.
When asked about the customers who frequented the business, Gombar said, "They're going to have some sleepless nights, and I hope they're sweating."
In addition to county detectives, state police, city police, Wyomissing and Birdsboro police assisted in the investigation.
Contact Jason A. Kahl: 610-371-5024 or jkahl@readingeagle.com.
Paul S. Sewell, 44, of the 200 block of North 10th Street was arrested about 3:30 p.m. as he delivered one of his prostitutes to an undercover detective at a hotel in Wyomissing, investigators said.
District Attorney John T. Adams said the arrest of Sewell followed a nine-month investigation by members of the Berks County Drug Task Force.
"It's premature to say where this (ongoing) investigation will take us," Adams said. "But this organization has been put to rest, and we expect this activity is finished."
Sewell, who had unsuccessfully tried to change his name to "God" in Berks County Court, was awaiting arraignment late Wednesday in Reading Central Court on charges of prostitution, running a corrupt organization and related offenses.
Three of the women also were charged. Two were awaiting arraignment late Wednesday, but the third remained at large.
Sewell had a stable of up to 20 women of all ages and nationalities working at one time, Adams said. Sewell advertised on a website he controlled under the name "Cash Money Brothers" and also on Facebook and Craigslist, the DA said.
Adams said the prostitutes were photographed in explicit poses on the websites and categorized as chocolate, caramel or white, based on their skin color.
The site billed itself as an "escort service," but Adams said it was a prostitution business. Prices on the site ranged from $145 per hour to $800 for the night and $2,500 for the weekend.
Sewell told investigators the business brought in $150,000 in 2009, Adams said.
Investigators said they think some minors may have been involved, and are investigating a report that one worker was 12 years old.
After choosing a woman, investigators said, customers would call Sewell to work out the details and arrange to have sex at one of the two row houses he owned in the 200 block of North 10th and the 200 block of Fisher Court, which is directly behind the 10th Street house.
Sewell also offered to deliver the women to customers at hotels or residences as part of an "outcall service," Adams said.
Undercover investigators arranged to have sex for money with Sewell's women on three separate occasions - once at one of the city houses and two other times at hotels in Wyomissing, authorities said. Sewell delivered the women to the Wyomissing hotels, investigators said.
Police said the three women who agreed to have sex for money with the detectives were charged with prostitution and related offenses:
•Sarah L. Robertson, 22, of the 800 block of Franklin Street was arrested Wednesday when Sewell took her to the Wyomissing hotel.
•Melissa Prestash, 28, of the 900 block of Elm Street was arrested Wednesday night in her residence.
Both were awaiting arraignment.
•Christina L. Keppley, 31, of the 400 block of West Second Street, Birdsboro, remained at large.
Investigators said they are trying to identify the other women who worked for Sewell and want to learn how he recruited and controlled them.
The investigation started last year after detectives got tips from residents.
"It was unbelievable," Chief County Detective Michael J. Gombar said. "We stopped it and it needed to be stopped.
"I'm certain that Mr. Sewell has taken advantage of some ladies that have some problems."
Police said Sewell did most of his business in Berks, but expanded into some other counties. There was no indication he crossed state lines, investigators said.
Authorities said they were disturbed to see that all of the women were branded or tattooed on their backs with such names as "God's rebel." They said they will investigate to see if the operation involved human trafficking.
No customers were arrested, but investigators were carting out boxes of records and evidence from both of Sewell's properties late into the night.
When asked about the customers who frequented the business, Gombar said, "They're going to have some sleepless nights, and I hope they're sweating."
In addition to county detectives, state police, city police, Wyomissing and Birdsboro police assisted in the investigation.
Contact Jason A. Kahl: 610-371-5024 or jkahl@readingeagle.com.
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