Rapper denies pimping charge
Jailed suspect says image was marketing ploy
By Kate Fowlie
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, June 12, 2003
A 39-year-old rap artist who calls himself K-Luv the Pimp was arrested Wednesday for running a prostitution ring in Stockton.
Garrett Cyril Craven called the charges bogus and said his pimp-daddy persona is simply part of a marketing scheme he flaunts on his Web site to sell rap records.
"It was just a gorilla marketing plan that landed me in jail," said Craven on Wednesday night at San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp, where he is being held in lieu of $530,000 bail.
The Oakland native calls Las Vegas home but has been staying in Stockton on business. He was arrested on felony pimping and pandering charges at a home in the 3100 block of Admiral Drive.
Police said the raids of three homes followed a five-month investigation that started in January after businesses at strip malls along Wilson Way complained to police that people were handing out cards advertising an adult-escort service, "Discreet Desires."
Three weeks ago, two 15-year-old runaway girls from Sacramento told police they were lured by Craven to Stockton to work in the service and be prostitutes, Stockton Police Sgt. Ken Praegitzer said. Another woman told police Craven tried to kidnap her when she refused to work as a prostitute for him, police said.
A Web site and phone number on the escort-service cards led investigators to Craven. ::: Advertisement :::
The prostitution ring did business in Lodi, Sacramento, Stockton, Santa Clara and Oakland, the sergeant said.
"It is the most organized operation (of its kind) we have seen and it is far-reaching," the sergeant said. "They were very mobile."
Craven also faces a charge of a felon in possession of a firearm and has a prior conviction for child abuse in another state, Praegitzer said.
Craven denied all the charges and said he had nothing to do with the escort service or prostitution. He said police targeted him because of his Web site and his flamboyant attire.
"I didn't pimp on anybody. That ain't me," he said. "If someone said they were walking the streets, it was probably for someone else."
"It's because of my image, because of the language I use, because of my name and my flamboyance and my apparel (that) they are assuming it is literal instead of promoting," he said. The album he is trying to promote is called "Master of the Game," he said.
On Wednesday, Stockton police also searched an apartment on the 1000 block of Rosemarie Lane and a home at 836 East Weber Ave., where police say the escort service was being operated.
Police also arrested Kelly Michelle Crowder, 22, on felony pimping and pandering charges, and police are looking for three more people.
Craven said he will plead innocent and even wondered if the publicity might help his career.
"I think it might help my album if I can get out of jail," he said. "I hope my album goes platinum
Jailed suspect says image was marketing ploy
By Kate Fowlie
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, June 12, 2003
A 39-year-old rap artist who calls himself K-Luv the Pimp was arrested Wednesday for running a prostitution ring in Stockton.
Garrett Cyril Craven called the charges bogus and said his pimp-daddy persona is simply part of a marketing scheme he flaunts on his Web site to sell rap records.
"It was just a gorilla marketing plan that landed me in jail," said Craven on Wednesday night at San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp, where he is being held in lieu of $530,000 bail.
The Oakland native calls Las Vegas home but has been staying in Stockton on business. He was arrested on felony pimping and pandering charges at a home in the 3100 block of Admiral Drive.
Police said the raids of three homes followed a five-month investigation that started in January after businesses at strip malls along Wilson Way complained to police that people were handing out cards advertising an adult-escort service, "Discreet Desires."
Three weeks ago, two 15-year-old runaway girls from Sacramento told police they were lured by Craven to Stockton to work in the service and be prostitutes, Stockton Police Sgt. Ken Praegitzer said. Another woman told police Craven tried to kidnap her when she refused to work as a prostitute for him, police said.
A Web site and phone number on the escort-service cards led investigators to Craven. ::: Advertisement :::
The prostitution ring did business in Lodi, Sacramento, Stockton, Santa Clara and Oakland, the sergeant said.
"It is the most organized operation (of its kind) we have seen and it is far-reaching," the sergeant said. "They were very mobile."
Craven also faces a charge of a felon in possession of a firearm and has a prior conviction for child abuse in another state, Praegitzer said.
Craven denied all the charges and said he had nothing to do with the escort service or prostitution. He said police targeted him because of his Web site and his flamboyant attire.
"I didn't pimp on anybody. That ain't me," he said. "If someone said they were walking the streets, it was probably for someone else."
"It's because of my image, because of the language I use, because of my name and my flamboyance and my apparel (that) they are assuming it is literal instead of promoting," he said. The album he is trying to promote is called "Master of the Game," he said.
On Wednesday, Stockton police also searched an apartment on the 1000 block of Rosemarie Lane and a home at 836 East Weber Ave., where police say the escort service was being operated.
Police also arrested Kelly Michelle Crowder, 22, on felony pimping and pandering charges, and police are looking for three more people.
Craven said he will plead innocent and even wondered if the publicity might help his career.
"I think it might help my album if I can get out of jail," he said. "I hope my album goes platinum
