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FBI VOL00009
EFTA00792500
69 pages
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Pursuant to Civil Rights Law § 50-b, the identities of the victims, who are the victims of sex offenses, shall be confidential, and this document shall not be made available for public inspection. To be argued DEBORAH L MORSE Petu Pork i§uprente Court Appellate Division - First Department THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, - against - JEFFREY E. EPSTEIN Dcfendant-Appellant. BRIEF FOR RESPONDENT CYRUS R. VANCE, JR. District Attorney New York County Attorney for Respondent One Hogan Place New York, New York 10013 (212) 335-9000 danyappeals®dany.nyc.gov GINA MIGNOLA DEBORAH L MORSE ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS Of Counsel EFTA00792500
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ii INTRODUCTION 1 POINT THE SORA COURT'S DESIGNATION OF DEFENDANT AS A LEVEL-THREE OFFENDER WAS SUPPORTED OVERWHELMINGLY BY THE RECORD. THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE COURT REACHED AND DELIVERED THAT DETERMINATION WAS ENTIRELY FAIR AND PROPER 33 CONCLUSION 63 EFTA00792501
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES CASES Contrast People v. Ferguson, 53 A.D.3d 571 (2d Dept. 2008) 57 58 43 36 35 People v. Belter, 84 A.D.3d 905 (2d Dept. 2011) People v. Brensic, 70 N.Y.2d 9 (1987) People v. Conway, 47 A.D.3d 492 (1st Dept. 2008) People v. Guaman, 8 A.D.3d 545 (2d Dept. 2004) People v. Johnson, 77 A.D.3d 548 (1st Dept. 2010) 38, 49 People v. Kello, 96 N.Y.2d 740 (2001) 39 People v. Knox, 12 N.Y.3d 60 (2009) 36 People v. Mendez, 45 A.D.3d 429 (1st Dept. 2007) 36 People v. Mingo, 12 N.Y.3d 563 (2009) 36-37, 40 People v. O'Neal, 35 A.D.3d 302 (1st Dept. 2006) 36 People v. Pettigrew, 14 N.Y.3d 406 (2010) 36 People v. Roland, 292 A.D.2d 271 (1st Dept. 2002) 38 People v. Smith, 75 A.D.3d 1112 (4th Dept. 2010) 58 People v. Vasquez, 20 Misc.3d 37 (App. Term 1st Dept. 2008) 37 People v. Windham 10 N.Y.3d 801 (2008) 36, 38 STATUTES Corrections Law § 168-1 29, 35 Correction Law § 168-n(3) 36, 58 Correction Law § 169-8(3) 36 Fla. Stat 796.03 1 EFTA00792502
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Ha. Stat. 796.07 1 EFTA00792503
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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPELLATE DIVISION: FIRST DEPARTMENT
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
Respondent,
-against-
JEFFREY EPSTEIN,
Defendant-Appellant.
BRIEF FOR RESPONDENT
INTRODUCTION
Defendant, Jeffrey Epstein, appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, New
York County (Ruth Pickholz, J.), entered on January 18, 2011, adjudicating him a
level-three sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act ("SORA").
By the underlying judgment, defendant was convicted in Palm Beach County, Florida,
by his plea of guilty, of Procuring a Person Under 18 for Prostitution (Fla. Stat.
796.03) and Felony Solicitation of Prostitution (Fla. Stat 796.07). On June 30, 2008,
defendant was sentenced to serve consecutive jail terms of 12 months and 6 months,
to be followed by a 12-month term of Community Control.
Defendant has
completed his sentence.
EFTA00792504
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Apart from various other residential properties, defendant maintains homes both in Palm Beach, Florida, and on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The SORA risk-level designation that defendant received in New York is the subject of this appeal. The criminal conduct underlying the SORA designation occurred in defendant's Palm Beach home. On March 15, 2005, a 14-year-old girl and her family made a report to the Palm Beach Police Department about sexual misconduct committed against her by then 51- year-old defendant. For almost a year—from March 2005 to February 2006—the Palm Beach Police Department conducted an extensive investigation of defendant and two accomplices who had helped him lure young girls to the seclusion of his home. On May 1, 2006, a Palm Beach detective swore out a 22-page probable-cause affidavit detailing the results of dozens of police interviews as well as the first-hand observations of Palm Beach detectives. Among other things, the investigation revealed that defendant had been paying young girls—many from who were 16 years of age or less—to come to his home and give him a massage as he lay naked, masturbated, and engaged in sexual contact with them. The sexual contact during these "massages" included vaginal intercourse, mouth to vagina sodomy, touching of the girl's breasts and vagina, placing his fingers inside the girl's vagina, and using a vibrator on the girl's vaginal area—always as he masturbated to climax. During certain time periods, defendant was receiving these "massages" two or three times a day. The girls were -2- EFTA00792505
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paid anywhere from $200 to $1,000 per massage, depending upon the nature of the
sexual contact that they permitted.
In July of 2006, five months after the investigation had concluded, the Palm
Beach County State's Attorney's Office obtained an indictment charging defendant
with one count of Felony Solicitation of Prostitution. Defendant was taken into
custody. Almost two years later, on June 26, 2008, the State's Attorney's Office filed
an information charging defendant with an additional crime—namely, Procuring a
Person Under 18 For Prostitution. Four days later, on June 30, 2008, defendant
pleaded guilty to both accusatory instruments—namely, one count each of Procuring
a Person Under 18 for Prostitution and Felony Solicitation of Prostitution. That same
day, defendant was sentenced to serve consecutive jail terms of 12 months and 6
months, to be followed by a 12-month term of Community Control.
Because one of the crimes required that defendant register in Florida as a sex-
offender, the fact that he also maintained a residence in Manhattan meant that he had
to register in New York State as a sex offender as well. Following an investigation,
the State of New York Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders ("The Board')
recommended that, on the three-tier SORA classification scale, defendant be classified
as a level-three sex offender. The Board reached that conclusion after having
calculated defendant's risk assessment score at 130—solidly above the 110 qualifying
number for level three.
-3-
EFTA00792506
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On January 18, 2011, after having received the appropriate notice months earlier, two attorneys—the ones who are representing defendant on appeal— appeared before Justice Ruth Pickholz on defendant's behalf for a hearing to determine defendant's risk level; defendant chose not to attend the proceedings. At the hearing, defendant urged that a proper application of the SORA guidelines to his conduct warranted a level-one classification. Apparently misapprehending the governing legal standards, the People expressed concern about assessing points against defendant on the basis of the victim-accounts detailed in the probable-cause affidavit; the People seem to have based that position largely on the mistaken notion that only sexual conduct for which defendant had been formally charged could be considered when calculating his risk-assessment score. After hearing argument from both parties, and reviewing all the materials that had been submitted, the court adopted the recommendation made by the SORA Board and found defendant to be a level-three sex offender. On appeal, defendant contends that he was incorrectly classified a level-three offender and should have been classified a level-one offender instead. More particularly, defendant contends that the level-three designation lacked the support of clear and convincing evidence, and was based instead on improper considerations. Defendant further complains that the court rendered its ruling without affording the parties an opportunity to present evidence on disputed issues, and issued an order that -4- EFTA00792507
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lacked the requisite findings and conclusions. THE MATERIALS PROVIDED TO THE SORA COURT The Florida Probable-Cause Affidavit Among the materials provided to the SORA court was the probable-cause affidavit prepared by detectives of the Palm Beach Police Department (A6-27). This 22-page document, sworn to by a detective, outlined the findings of a "sexual battery" investigation beginning on March 15, 2005, and extending through February of 2006 (A6).' The numerous interviews conducted by the Palm Beach Police produced sworn, tape-recorded statements from what the police denominated as five victims and seventeen witnesses. The statements concerned "massages" provided to defendant by high school girls in exchange for money, and "other unlawful sexual activity" by defendant involving those young girls, in defendant's Palm Beach home (A6). Defendant was 51 years of age at the time of four of the specified criminal incidents, and 52 years of age at the time of the fifth (A27). The affidavit revealed that defendant had set up, and maintained, a highly organized operation to satisfy his compulsive need for young girls. Most of the victims were students at (A6). And, defendant had Parenthetical numerical references preceded by "A" are to the pages of Defendant's Appendix. -5- EFTA00792508
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maintained a steady and orderly stream of these girls with the aid of various employees. For the equivalent of a finder's fee, a student at recruited classmates to perform these so-called "massages." =, defendant's adult assistant, regularly was present at defendant's house at the time of the massages, recorded the girls' names and contact information for future reference, and set up appointments for the girls to come to the house at regular intervals on each day that defendant was in town (A6). The affidavit further revealed that most of the "massage" sessions themselves followed a regular routine. Upon arrival at defendant's house, the victim was escorted to defendant's bedroom, where defendant entered the room wearing nothing but a towel and instructed the girl to remove her clothes as well (A6). As the girl provided the massage in some state of undress, which usually consisted of only panties, defendant subjected her to some sort of sexual contact—including rubbing her vagina with his fingers or a vibrator, or inserting his penis or fingers into her vagina (A6). At the conclusion of the massage, the girls were given cash in sums ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending upon the extent of the sexual contact (A6). More particularly, the affidavit related the following specific accounts: The Statements By Girls Who Had Provided "Massages" During an interview that was sworn and tape-recorded, 14-year-old S G a student at reported to detectives that had -6- EFTA00792509
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offered her an opportunity to make money, and then had picked her up at home and driven her to defendant's house (A6-7). The two entered the house through the kitchen door, and were met shortly afterwards by defendant and (A7). escorted S.G. up a flight of stairs, past walls lined with photographs, to a room containing a massage table and a "hot-pink and green" sofa (AD. There was a mural of a naked woman in the room, and on a shelf there were several photographs of naked women (A7). Defendant entered the room wearing only a towel, and, speaking "stem[ly]," he commanded S.G. to remove her clothes as well (A7). Not knowing "what to do," since she "was the only one there," S.G. removed her shirt (A7). Defendant, who had removed the towel and was naked, directed S.G. to take off everything, and she complied—leaving on only her thong panties (A7). Pointing to a particular container of lotion, defendant instructed S.G. to massage his back (AD. Defendant then directed S.G. to sit on his back, and as S.G. straddled defendant's back, her exposed buttocks were touching his (AD. After a while, defendant turned over on his back and instructed S.G. to massage his chest (AD. As S.G. complied, defendant held the small of S.G.'s back with one hand and masturbated with the other (AD. Retrieving a purple vibrator, defendant held the vibrator on her vaginal area, on top of her underwear (A6-7). Defendant ejaculated, used the towel to wipe himself, and left the room (A8). Downstairs, defendant gave S.G. $300 and told her to leave her telephone number -7- EFTA00792510
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(A8). As they left the house, said that she had received $200 for having brought S.G. to defendant's house that day (A8). In a statement that was sworn and tape-recorded, M.L. reported that she was 16 years of age when Y.L. asked if she wanted to "make money for Christmas"; she agreed (A23). Y.L. drove M.L. to defendant's house, where a white woman with long blond hair led her up a spiral staircase to a bedroom containing a massage table; there was a steam room and shower in the bathroom next door (A23). The woman said that massage oils would be there, and that defendant would select the one he wanted (A23). Defendant was wearing only a towel, and he selected the oils that he wanted M.L. to use (A23-24). M.L. began by rubbing defendant's feet, legs, and back (A24). At defendant's direction, M.L. removed her clothes and continued massaging while wearing only underwear (A24). Turning onto his back, defendant told M.L. to rub his chest and pinch his nipples (A24). As M.L. complied, defendant reached up, unsnapped her bra (which opened in the front), and began rubbing her breasts (A24). Defendant asked if M.L. liked that, and she said she did not (A24). Removing the towel and lying naked, defendant then masturbated while continuing to touch M.L.'s breasts (A24). Next, defendant rubbed M.L.'s vaginal area over her panties (A24). When M.L. tensed up, defendant said, "Relax, I'm not going inside" (A24). But then, defendant moved her panties aside, stroked her clitoris, and inserted two fingers into M.L.'s vagina and began stroking (A24). M.L. pulled back, trying to free herself, and finally -8- EFTA00792511
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defendant removed his fingers and apologized (A24). Keeping his hand on her vagina, defendant rubbed her "very hard" while masturbating until he climaxed into the towel (A24). Defendant left $200 on the dresser for M.L. and $100 to be given to Y.L. for having brought M.L. there (A24). M.L. knew that what had happened to her was "wrong," and they did not contact her again (A24). During a statement that was sworn and tape-recorded, Y L. reported that, at 16 years of age, in September of 2004, had offered her a chance to make money (A13). From conversations with friends at Y.L. knew "what did for [defendant]," and Y.L. agreed (A13). drove Y.L. to defendant's house, where they entered through the kitchen and met defendant (A13). escorted Y.L. upstairs—past many photographs of naked girls—to a bedroom, where set up a massage table and oils (A13). Entering the room wearing only a towel, defendant selected an oil and instructed Y.L. to rub his legs, the area under his buttocks, his back, and chest (A13). Defendant removed the towel and lay naked (A13). Defendant told Y.L. to "get comfortable," but she did not undress (A13). As Y.L. rubbed defendant's chest, he tried to reach down her pants and touch her buttocks, but he did not succeed because her clothing was too tight (A13). Defendant began to masturbate and tried to reach up her shirt and touch her breasts, but Y.L. pulled back (A13-14). Defendant continued masturbating to climax, cleaning himself with the towel (A14). Y.L. -9- EFTA00792512
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received $200 in cash, and gave her telephone number to on the way out of the house (A14). Y.L. did not provide a massage for defendant on any other occasion, but she accompanied to defendant's house on two occasions when brought other girls there (A14). One of those girls was Y.L.'s friend, M.L., who was sixteen years of age (A14). The time they took M.L., the three entered the house through the kitchen, where they were met by (A14). and both escorted M.L. to the upstairs bedroom, and later gave Y.L. $100 for having brought M.L. to defendant's house (A14). During a statement that was sworn and tape-recorded, A.H. reported that, at the suggestion of a classmate at she had given defendant massages at his house when she was 16 years of age (A16). On the first visit, the classmate took her to defendant's house, where they entered through the kitchen and were met by (A16). As led her upstairs, A.H. saw that, on the wall and on tables, there were photographs of naked women (A16). Once in the bedroom, set up a massage table and oils, and shortly afterwards defendant emerged from a steam room and shower area wearing only a towel (A16). Defendant lay on the table, and at his suggestion A.H. removed all but her panties (A16). After A.H. had rubbed defendant's legs and feet, he turned onto his back, touched her breasts, and masturbated until he ejaculated (A16). The massage ended at that point -10- EFTA00792513
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(A16). A.H. was given $200 that day, and defendant asked her to leave her cell phone number so he could contact her "when [he] was in town" (A16). A.H. returned to defendant's home "hundreds of times" over the course of the next two years to provide these massages; she became defendant's "number one girl" (A16). Every time defendant was in Palm Beach, called A.H. and scheduled appointments for A.H. to "work" for defendant (A17). A "routine" was established— A.H. entered the house and "g[o]t naked" in the bedroom; she began by massaging defendant's back, after which he rolled over and she rubbed his chest; defendant masturbated, and with the other hand inserted his fingers into her vagina; defendant continued this process until he ejaculated, and then used a vibrator on her vagina until she climaxed (A16). During her visits, defendant asked A.H. how old she was, and she said she was 16; defendant told her not to tell anyone her real age (A16). At some point, "things escalated" during the massage sessions: at defendant's instruction, A.H. had intercourse with defendant's female friend the intercourse included using "strap-on 'lidos," "large rubber penises," and "other devices" that defendant had in his home (A16). Defendant watched and masturbated; occasionally, he joined in by providing oral sex to A.H. and (A17). These episodes took place during the time when A.H. was 16 years of age (A17). Defendant sometimes photographed the naked sex sessions between A.H. and and he displayed the photographs in his home (A17). -11- EFTA00792514
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Things "continued to escalate," and A.H. received additional money whenever something new was introduced into the routine (A17). A.H. had an "understanding" with defendant, however, that he would not penetrate her vagina with his penis (A17). Defendant's penis was "deformed"—when erect, it was "thick" toward the base, but "thin and small" toward the head; it was shaped like an "egg" or an "oval" (A17). During one massage, A.H. and kissed and fondled each other's breasts as defendant watched (A17). Later, as the massage continued, defendant "grabbed" A.H., turned her over on her stomach, and held her head down "forcibly" as he inserted his penis into her vagina and repeatedly "pump[ed]" his penis into her (A17). A.H. "screamed," "No!" and defendant stopped (A17). Defendant apologized and gave her $1,000 that day (A17).2 During a statement that was sworn and tape-recorded, C L. related that, at 15 years of age, she was approached by a classmate at and asked about modeling lingerie at the home of a wealthy Palm Beach man (A24-25). When they arrived at defendant's home, C.L. and were served dinner by defendant's personal chef (A25). After dinner, defendant and took C.L. to an upstairs bedroom, where there was a massage table (A25). When defendant 2 A.H. had been arrested by the Palm Beach Police Department on September 11, 2005, for misdemeanor possession of marijuana; during that arrest, she had told the arresting officer that she had information about sexual activity at defendant's house (A15-16). As noted on pages 26-27, infra, the police subsequently found A.H.'s name and cell phone number on discarded papers that were retrieved from defendant's trash (A16), and recovered a copy of her high school transcript from defendant's bedroom desk (A23). -12- EFTA00792515
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entered wearing only a towel, said she and C.L. were going to give defendant a massage (A25). C.L. asked why they were doing that instead of modeling, and said it was defendant's "routine" (A25). C.L. undressed at defendant's direction, until she was wearing only panties (A25). At first, C.L. rubbed defendant's legs and feet; then, when he turned onto his back, defendant instructed her to rub his chest and nipples, and she complied (A25). Defendant masturbated, while alternately touching C.L.'s breasts and stroking her vagina, until he ejaculated into the towel (A25). Defendant paid C.L. $200 (A25). He said that "bad things could happen" if she told anyone what had taken place in his house (A25). Defendant's "houseman" drove C.L. and home, and C.L. was afraid about the fact that defendant knew where she lived (A25). When called her several days later to set up another appointment for "work," C.L. agreed (A25). Once at defendant's house, escorted C.L. to the bedroom and prepared the room for the massage (A25). Defendant entered the room wearing only a towel and directed C.L. to perform the massage naked, which she did (A25). C.L. began by rubbing defendant's feet and legs, and defendant later turned onto his back and masturbated with one hand and with the other rubbed her vagina with his fingers (A25). Once defendant had ejaculated into the towel, the massage was over (A25). C.L. was paid $200, and defendant threatened her again— saying that "bad things would happen" if she talked about what had happened (A25). C.L. wanted to notify the authorities but was afraid of what might happen to her or her family (A25). -13- EFTA00792516
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In a statement that was sworn and tape-recorded, M.D. related that she was 16 years of age when a fellow student at said M.D. could make $200 by providing massages to defendant while topless (A21-22). Entering the house through the kitchen, M.D. was escorted upstairs to a bedroom that had a massage table and a large pink couch (A22). Defendant entered the room wearing only a towel, lay face-down on the table, and selected the oils to be used (A22). Wearing only thong panties, M.D. rubbed defendant's legs, back, and feet for 40 minutes (A22). Defendant turned onto his back and M.D. rubbed his chest while he masturbated to climax, ejaculating into the towel (A22). M.D. was given $200 for that massage (A22). During a return visit, M.D. again was led to the upstairs bedroom, and defendant entered wearing only a towel (A22). At defendant's direction, M.D. performed this massage naked (A22). She rubbed his back first; when defendant rolled over and began masturbating, she rubbed his chest (A22). After a while, defendant retrieved a large gray vibrator with a large head, and he rubbed her vagina with it for about two or three minutes (A22). M.D. continued rubbing defendant's chest until he climaxed, ejaculating into the towel (A22). The massage was over at that point, and M.D. received $200 that day (A22). M.D. did not provide any more massages (A22). During a tape-recorded statement, S. related that, when she was sixteen years of age, her classmate took her to defendant's house on two occasions (A11). -14- EFTA00792517
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The first time, drove, they entered through the kitchen door, and they were met there by defendant and (A11-12). escorted her to a bedroom, where set up a massage table and oils, and entered the room wearing only a towel (Al2). Defendant lay on the table, selected an oil for J.S. to use, and she began the massage (Al2). When defendant tried to remove J.S.'s shirt, she became upset and discontinued the massage (Al2). J.S. left the house and did not receive any money (Al2). had told her to tell defendant if she was "uncomfortable" and defendant would "stop" (Al2). J.S. also knew that "the more you do, the more you get paid" (Al2). Several weeks later, J.S. agreed to return to defendant's house with (Al2). Again they entered through the kitchen, J.S. was escorted upstairs by and set up the massage table and oils (Al2). During the massage, defendant tried to reach into J.S.'s pants and touch her buttocks, but her clothing was too tight and he was unable to do so (Al2). Rolling over on his back, defendant tried to touch J.S.'s breasts, but she became upset, said she did not want to be touched, and discontinued the massage (Al2). Defendant gave her $200 that day, and J.S. did not return (Al2). During a statement that was sworn and tape-recorded, a student whose birthdate was 2/08/1987 reported having been approached by and offered money to provide a "massage" to "a wealthy man in Palm Beach" (Al2). drove the girl to defendant's house, where they entered through the kitchen and met -15- EFTA00792518
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defendant and (Al2). took the girl upstairs to a bedroom, where set up a massage table and oils, and defendant entered the room shortly afterwards wearing only a towel (Al2). Removing the towel and lying on the table naked, defendant chose a lotion for the girl to rub on his thighs and back (Al2). At defendant's request, the girl undressed and continued the massage wearing only thong underpants (Al2). The girl straddled defendant's back, her bare buttocks touching his, and later he turned onto his back and masturbated as she rubbed his chest (A13). The girl, who had "just turned seventeen," "did not want to look at [defendant's] penis area" because she "was uncomfortable" (A13). Retrieving a "large, white vibrator," defendant rubbed the vibrator on her vaginal area over her underwear until he ejaculated (A13). Defendant got up from the table, took a shower, and paid the girl either $350 or $400 (13). The girl did not return to defendant's house (13). During a statement that was sworn and tape-recorded, a girl whose birthdate was related that she had been told she could make some "quick money" by providing a massage while dressed only in underwear (A18). The girl was driven to defendant's home, where she and the other girl entered through the kitchen door and went to an upstairs bedroom, where there was a massage table near a sauna/shower area and photographs of naked women throughout the room (A18). Defendant entered wearing only a towel, and at defendant's direction the two girls undressed as well (A18). Wearing only panties, the girls rubbed defendant's legs and feet (A18). -16- EFTA00792519
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