A Woodbury massage therapist charged with prostitution is accusing police of fabricating information for a search warrant to get themselves inside the establishment. Chulalak Ratsbouth, 29, of Plymouth is also criticizing undercover officers, saying they stayed for a full minute erotic massage when just a few minutes would have sufficed.
Ratsbouth is asking the court to dismiss the case against her, according to motion papers filed in Washington County District Court on Aug. She also filed a notice that she will present an entrapment defense to the jury, if the case goes to trial. Jay Alberio said Thursday. Ratsbouth was charged in June with gross misdemeanor engaging or soliciting prostitution in a public place.
She has not yet entered a plea. Ratsbouth contends that either the tipster lied, unbeknownst to police, or investigators willingly used false information to get their search warrant approved. She points to statements in the application for the search warrant attributed to nearby shop owners and a FedEx delivery person. Ratsbouth is requesting a hearing to determine whether the search warrant contains falsifications and, if so, whether the search warrant supports probable cause without them.
In another motion, Ratsbouth is seeking dismissal of the charges. If the case goes forward to a jury trial, Ratsbouth has invoked her right to an entrapment defense. In a final motion, she claims she was induced to commit a crime. Her next court hearing is Sept. Her attorney, Ryan Garry, has requested the appearance of the two undercover officers β primarily the one who reported extensive sexual contact β in order to question them.
By Elizabeth Mohr Pioneer Press. More in News.
