AUBURN - A Sodus man could face up to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of promoting prostitution while burglarizing migrant workers.
Clarence Brown, 56, was convicted in Cayuga County Court Monday morning on two felony counts of burglary and one misdemeanor count of promoting prostitution. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced June 16.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Valdina said he was happy with the verdict even though the jury acquitted Brown of a robbery charge and Monroe County Judge Elma Bellini dismissed an unlawful
imprisonment charge when the jury failed to reach a decision. Bellini volunteered to help with the county's case load.
“Justice was done for the victims today,” Valdina said. “This was someone who did these types of crimes on two separate occasions in two separate counties. He won't be doing them anymore.”
Brown was convicted of burglarizing the home of Juan Lopez and for promoting the services of a prostitute to Mynor Vasquez before burglarizing his home Dec. 31, 2005.
Brown's attorney, Samuel Tamburo, disagreed with the verdict and said he would likely appeal.
“(The jury) obviously found there wasn't any physical force used and Brown is facing prison time,” Tamburo. “I'm sure he will appeal this case.”
The jury deliberated for more than four hours Friday before being released for the weekend. Twice during deliberations, the jury came back to ask questions about the charges and to have testimony read back.
“It was a hard decision,” said Richard Stewart, a jury member. “We did some agonizing over the decisions, especially the unlawful imprisonment count.”
During his closing statements on Wednesday, Tamburo said there was inadequate evidence to prove prostitution occurred at Vasquez's home and that the codefendants, Kelly Finnerty and Shannon Terwilliger, were getting deals to testify against Brown, which compromised their credibility.
Valdina said he was confident during deliberations the jury would find Brown guilty.
During opening statements, Valdina said he would prove that Brown was at the crime scenes that New Years Eve and during closing statements, Valdina said Brown admitted to being at the dwellings of one of the migrant workers the night his home was burglarized.
Valdina also said he proved Brown had a criminal history that specifically targeted migrant workers for prostitution and burglary.
Justice would have been shortlived if Brown, who is an illegal immigrant, had been deported, instead of going to trial.
“Brown had an order to be deported back to the Bahamas but that would not have prevented him from doing this again,” Valdina said. “It would be a simple boat ride back here and he would be doing these things again to more victims.”
Valdina believed Brown's prior conviction for prostitution and burglary in Wayne County was evidence of Brown's intent to continue exploiting vulnerable members of society.
“With the burglary and prostitution charges we got him on what he has been doing,” Valdina said. “He was the guy in the driver's seat of targeting migrant workers. He was the boss. It seems we've addressed the major players and hopefully these type of crimes will be limited now.”
Crimes against migrant workers are often difficult to prosecute because the victims are often afraid of being deported if they go to the authorities or the language barrier makes it hard for the legal system to build a strong case.
“This was a great victory for the victims,” Valdina said. “This case sends a clear message, you can't target (migrant workers) or anyone else like them.”
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Valdina said he was happy with the verdict even though the jury acquitted Brown of a robbery charge and Monroe County Judge Elma Bellini dismissed an unlawful
imprisonment charge when the jury failed to reach a decision. Bellini volunteered to help with the county's case load.
“Justice was done for the victims today,” Valdina said. “This was someone who did these types of crimes on two separate occasions in two separate counties. He won't be doing them anymore.”
Brown was convicted of burglarizing the home of Juan Lopez and for promoting the services of a prostitute to Mynor Vasquez before burglarizing his home Dec. 31, 2005.
Brown's attorney, Samuel Tamburo, disagreed with the verdict and said he would likely appeal.
“(The jury) obviously found there wasn't any physical force used and Brown is facing prison time,” Tamburo. “I'm sure he will appeal this case.”
The jury deliberated for more than four hours Friday before being released for the weekend. Twice during deliberations, the jury came back to ask questions about the charges and to have testimony read back.
“It was a hard decision,” said Richard Stewart, a jury member. “We did some agonizing over the decisions, especially the unlawful imprisonment count.”
During his closing statements on Wednesday, Tamburo said there was inadequate evidence to prove prostitution occurred at Vasquez's home and that the codefendants, Kelly Finnerty and Shannon Terwilliger, were getting deals to testify against Brown, which compromised their credibility.
Valdina said he was confident during deliberations the jury would find Brown guilty.
During opening statements, Valdina said he would prove that Brown was at the crime scenes that New Years Eve and during closing statements, Valdina said Brown admitted to being at the dwellings of one of the migrant workers the night his home was burglarized.
Valdina also said he proved Brown had a criminal history that specifically targeted migrant workers for prostitution and burglary.
Justice would have been shortlived if Brown, who is an illegal immigrant, had been deported, instead of going to trial.
“Brown had an order to be deported back to the Bahamas but that would not have prevented him from doing this again,” Valdina said. “It would be a simple boat ride back here and he would be doing these things again to more victims.”
Valdina believed Brown's prior conviction for prostitution and burglary in Wayne County was evidence of Brown's intent to continue exploiting vulnerable members of society.
“With the burglary and prostitution charges we got him on what he has been doing,” Valdina said. “He was the guy in the driver's seat of targeting migrant workers. He was the boss. It seems we've addressed the major players and hopefully these type of crimes will be limited now.”
Crimes against migrant workers are often difficult to prosecute because the victims are often afraid of being deported if they go to the authorities or the language barrier makes it hard for the legal system to build a strong case.
“This was a great victory for the victims,” Valdina said. “This case sends a clear message, you can't target (migrant workers) or anyone else like them.”
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
