Christian Laswell, the 29-year-old man accused of running a prostitution ring that involved his sister and a 17-year-old girl, isn’t a pimp, but a driver for a legitimate escort service, his public defender said today in court.
In an unsuccessful bid to get Laswell’s $100,000 bond lowered, attorney Lucy Martin gave examples of her client’s contributions to the community.
He has counseled recovering addicts at the homeless outreach clinic at Stout Street after he successfully completed treatment there himself, Martin said.
Before Laswell’s arrest in March, he studied psychology full time at Front Range Community College in Westminster.
“He was a meth addict. He’s conquered that addiction at this point,” Martin said. “He wants to continue school.”
Prosecutor Courtney Johnston argued that the 17-year-old victim in the case feared for her safety.
“The child victim in this case is afraid of Mr. Laswell; she’s fearful of retaliation,” Johnston said. “We have concerns for her safety and that he might flee.”
After Denver County Court Judge Andrew Armatas denied the bond reduction, Laswell’s mother collapsed to the ground outside the courtroom in tears.
Laswell’s sister, Theresa Laswell, 19, also faces felony charges related to prostituting a child.
She was first questioned by Denver vice officers in August when she was arrested on suspicion of working as an escort at a hotel near Invesco Field at Mile High, according to a search-warrant affidavit.
The 17-year-old alleged victim told told investigators she had worked for Christian Laswell for about three weeks and had been on about 30 calls when she was picked up in March, according to the affidavit.
She described him as the pimp and his sister as “atop the hierarchy of prostitutes” that included about six other sex workers.
Christian Laswell collected money paid by clients, ranging from $200 to $500 for an hour, of which she would receive 30 percent, the 17-year-old told investigators.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com.
