1/18/2016 – OKC, OK — The last of four ‘Johns’ arrested after police setup shop in a former Oklahoma City brothel has pleaded guilty and been given probation.
Fourty-seven year old Brian David Cunningham pleaded guilty last Wednesday in an Oklahoma County courtroom to a single misdemeanor charge of offering to engage in an act of prostitution.
Cunningham, who was represented by local criminal defense attorney Adam Banner, was sentenced by Judge Russell Hall to five-years deferred (supervised by the DA’s office), health checks, $300 fine, $300 VCA and court costs. Additionally, in a move we almost never see, Cunningham was also ordered to make a $500 donation to “PALS” (JohnTV is assuming this is the Police Athletic League).
JohnTV actually applauds this sentence as its considerably more than the average ‘John’ receives in Oklahoma County – heck it’s more than pimps/traffickers often receive under the “leadership” of current Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater (link to examples).
Cunningham’s more severe punishment may have something to do with his prior criminal charges for DUI that occurred in 2009 and 2011.
Cunningham was successfully prosecuted by ADA Alison Roberts.
Readers will recall that JohnTV first reported on the pre-Independence Day sting, that resulted in Cunningham and three other men’s arrests, back in Sept. of last year.
At that time we pointed out that the cases may be in jeopardy because of a legal loophole previous defense attorney’s have successfully asserted.
JohnTV again reported on this sting this past December after indeed two of the four alleged ‘Johns’ had their criminal cases dismissed by the Oklahoma County DA’s office.
So, in the end, two of the alleged ‘Johns’ had their cases tossed and two received deferred sentences (no official conviction, no criminal record).
The cases broke down like this;
- Eddie Paul Hunter, 46, case dismissed (link).
- Mario A. Medina-Lozano, 47, case dismissed (link).
- Kirk Douglas Kiespert, 34, pleaded guilty and given a deferred sentence (link).
One-year probation (supervised), $200 fine, $300 VCA, and court costs. - Brian David Cunningham, 47, pleaded guilty and given a deferred sentence (link).
Five-years probation (supervised), $300 fine, $300 VCA, health checks, and a $500 donation to PALS.
The real question should be; How much did it cost tax payers for police to setup shop in a former brothel, post ads and pretend to be open for illicit business in an attempt to catch ‘Johns’ – all with the result being only four arrests with only two of those arrested being prosecuted and paying only $500 in fines total. JohnTV is guessing the cost to tax payers to cover police salaries (most likely overtime) and prosecutors salaries to put the total bill into the several thousands.