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Update: Snohomish Sheriff Sgt. Arrested in Bikini Barista Prostitution Raids

Sheriff's Sgt. Darrell O'Neill allegedly would warn bikini baristas when they were targeted by undercover police in exchange for sexual favors.

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Eight people have been arrested, including a Snohomish County Sheriff's Sergeant, after June 25 raids on seven "bikini barista" stands around Puget Sound, according to Everett police.

Fifty-eight-year-old Darrell L. O'Neill of Everett, a 30-year sergeant with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, has been arrested on charges of conspiracy to promote prostitution and official misconduct, Everett police said.

The Everett Herald is reporting that O'Neill would warn bikini baristas when they were targeted by undercover police officers in exchange for sexual favors.
The owner of the seven stands was arrested for conspiracy to promote prostitution and permitting prostitution. She was arrested back in 2011 on three counts of prostitution and one count of permitting prostitution after a lengthy police investigation of her Edmonds stand. Java Juggs Espresso, located on the corner of Highway 99 and 212th Street Southwest, was one of the seven stands raided by police Tuesday.

A manager of the stores, a 22 year-old Shoreline woman, was arrested for prostitution and conspiracy to promote prostitution. Numerous female baristas working at the seven coffee stands were contacted and detained on Tuesday. Charges for all involved are pending. As the investigation continues, more arrests and charges may occur, Everett police said.

The arrests came after the Everett Police Department, in conjunction with the Kent Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and several other law enforcement entities concluded an extensive criminal investigation and developed evidence that several coffee stands were being used to promote prostitution and lewd conduct.  
Officers served search warrants on the seven stands and at one home in connection with the prostitution investigation, Everett police said.

The coffee stand locations are:

           -15315 Hwy 99 in Lynnwood, WA

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            -21208 Hwy 99 in Edmonds, WA

            -8015 Broadway Ave in Everett, WA

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            -11323 Hwy 99 in Everett, WA

            -11701 Hwy 99 in Everett, WA

            -12803 Hwy 99 in Everett, WA

            -24013 104th Ave SE in Kent, WA

The initial investigation began in October of 2012 when the Kent police investigated complaints of lewd conduct at a local stand. Several baristas were identified and arrested for prostitution and lewd conduct and at the time the owner was linked to seven stands. During the investigation, a barista told detectives that a SCSO sergeant had engaged in inappropriate behavior while on the job and was providing information about ongoing undercover investigations targeting the latte stands. 

As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives will contact customers who have been identified via surveillance engaging in prostitution and illegal activity.  

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding these cases to contact the Everett Police Department TIP LINE at (425) 257-8450. 

The SCSO is expected to place O’Neill on paid administrative leave.  

Posts as the news broke on June 25, 2013 ---

Update: 3:30 p.m.: 
A Snohomish County Sheriff's Sgt. has been arrested in connection with this morning's raids, according to Everett police. Darrell O’Neill, a 30 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, was arrested by the Everett Police Department for conspiracy to promote prostitution and official misconduct.

The Everett Herald is reporting that O'Neill would warn bikini baristas when they were targeted by undercover police officers in exchange for sexual favors.

O’Neill was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest and his law enforcement authority was suspended.

In March, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office was notified by a local law enforcement agency of possible criminal activities being conducted by a Sheriff’s Office commissioned officer. The Sheriff’s Office administration then contacted Everett PD and requested a criminal investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office of Professional Accountability will begin an internal investigation on the alleged activities of O’Neill when the criminal investigation is completed by Everett PD detectives. Criminal charges, if any, will be filed by the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and determination of any disciplinary action will be based on the results of the internal investigation and applicable Sheriff’s Office policies. 


Update, 3:15 p.m.:
KIRO 7 reports the owner of Java Juggs was among those arrested in a police raid of "bikini barista" stands along Highway 99.

The same woman was arrested back in 2011 on three counts of prostitution and one count of permitting prostitution after a lengthy police investigation of her Edmonds stand.
Tuesday's other arrests took place at Bella Butterscotch and The Hot Spot, KIRO reported.

--
Original post, 1:49 p.m.: 
Police have confirmed to Patch that multiple arrests were made in raids of seven espresso stands in the Puget Sound area today.

Edmonds police were involved in the raids and five of the espresso stands were along Highway 99.

Patch will update this story as soon as more information is available.


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