Man to judge at sentencing: 'I'm not a pimp'

Alison Dirr | USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

GREEN BAY - A Green Bay man convicted in a prostitution ring will spend three years and 10 months in federal prison, a judge ruled Wednesday despite the man's protests over the way he had been characterized.

"I'm not a pimp," Charles R. Nash, 28, said before he was sentenced.

He will also spend three years on supervision after his release, Chief U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach ordered.

Nash was one of three men who police said called themselves the "Pimpin Partners," according to court documents filed in Outagamie County.

His case and that of Elizabeth A. Johnson, 27, of Altoona were moved from Outagamie County to federal court.

Johnson was sentenced Monday for her role. At that hearing, she was characterized as both a participant in the sense that she got others involved but also a victim of Nash's manipulation.

According to federal court documents, Nash had been arrested on drug charges and was in jail when he called Johnson, told her he needed money and asked her about an act of prostitution.

Johnson and another woman, identified as "Jane Doe No. 1" left for Iowa a few days later. The two women had several "dates" in that state before moving on to Nebraska at Nash's urging, according to the documents. An undercover officer in Nebraska arrested the women after "several" acts of prostitution.

"This is a terribly, terribly risky business the defendant is subjecting others to," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Roach said.

Nash's attorney, Tim Geary, acknowledged that Nash had been living in part off of the proceeds of Johnson's prostitution.

But Nash's involvement in the music business, where he was making an attempt at legal, gainful employment, often took him out of town, Geary said. The fact that he was gone for legitimate, legal activity is relevant because it downplays his role in illegal activities, Geary said. Leaving so often is inconsistent with most pimps, who tend to keep close tabs on prostitutes, he said.

Griesbach pointed out, however, that Nash was able to manipulate Johnson from afar — even from jail.

The judge said a lot of the people involved were addicted to drugs. Johnson, he said, did not have a drug problem but was vulnerable because of her insecurity and her affection for Nash.

"(Nash) may want to deny it and pretend he was a musician," Griesbach said.

But the judge said he saw someone who, even once incarcerated, continued the activity for which he was charged.

Alison Dirr: 920-993-1000, ext. 430, or alison.dirr@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @AlisonDirr