DUNWOODY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta couple has been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in operating a "sex enterprise" out of apartments in a northern metro Atlanta town.
According to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office, 51-year-old Samuel Leon Crenshaw and his wife, 47-year-old Darliene L. Crenshaw, surrendered to authorities on Jan. 6, 2019 to begin serving their sentences on convictions of racketeering and conspiracy.
Each received a 20-year sentence with seven to serve in prison after they were busted for operating a "full-scale commercial sex enterprise" out of Dunwoody apartment complexes in 2016.
“This is not a victimless crime," District Attorney Sherry Boston said. "I want to do everything in my power to make certain women and men are not exploited in the sex trade.”
An investigation revealed that for more than a year starting in February of 2015, the Crenshaws operated under the business name "Gold Club" and later "Lipstick and Shoes."
The district attorney's office said that the Crenshaws used false information to lease units at three Dunwoody apartment complexes with the help of their indicted co-conspirators. They then offered services pairing "models" with clients to engage in paid sexual activities.
They even conspired to recruit employees, advertise, secure locations and manage appointments and payment systems.
The Crenshaws' illicit business operation came to an end in December of 2016 following a months-long investigation by the Dunwoody Police Department.
In total, 62 people including the ringleaders were charged in an indictment described as "sweeping" by the district attorney's office. It was also the largest of its kind in DeKalb history with charges ranging from violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to pandering and prostitution.
Along with Crenshaws, 40-year-old George Moore, 47-year-old Tara Lee Gilleo, and 32-year-old Giovene Burkhalter pleaded guilty to RICO charges for their high-level administrative roles within the organization. Moore was sentenced to 20 years to serve four years in custody. Burkhalter and Gilleo were sentenced to five years probation.
Defendants charged with prostitution were referred to counseling and programs for survivors of sex trafficking. The also must submit to drug and sexually transmitted disease testing.
“It’s important that we do not normalize this behavior on the part of any participant,” Boston said.
The case was prosecuted by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office Sexual Exploitation and Crimes Against Children (SECAC) Unit.