Former Doll House owner gets 60 days jail

Former Doll House owner Santiago Steven Maese, whom prosecutors termed a "pimp" and who was convicted of several felonies last July, has been sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years probation.

Third District Judge Randall Skanchy imposed a term of one to 15 years in prison for one count of a pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony. Four counts of exploiting a prostitute, all third-degree felonies, netted terms of zero-to-five years in prison. Skanchy suspended all the prison time and instead ordered Maese to spend the 60 days in a local jail so Maese, as a presentence report recommended, could have time for "reflection" on what he has done and what course his life will take.

"My philosophy is that individuals who pose a threat to the community should go to prison," Skanchy said. "Mr. Maese isn't necessarily in that category."

The judge said that some incarceration is fitting given the recommendation from a presentence report by Adult Probation and Parole and that a short stint in jail fulfills the requirements of both mercy and justice.

Maese told the judge prior to sentencing that he originally believed he could run an escort service in a legal fashion.

"I made a mistake by getting into this industry. This industry, in and of itself, is tainted," Maese said. "I attempted to do something legal and the industry does not lend itself to people who want to do the right thing. The biggest mistake I made was not getting out of it sooner."

Maese said while searching for "some sort of comfort" prior to being sentenced, he was reading the Bible and came across a verse in Micah 6:8, which says that the Lord wants individuals to "do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God."

Maese said he was not in a position to ask much of the court, but hoped that since he presented himself there humbly and took responsibility for his actions that he would receive mercy.

Maese, 32, was acquitted of a charge of money laundering.

Maese previously had asked the court for a new trial, alleging that there were flaws in the jury instructions, that he was not fully informed of the illegal acts he was supposed to have done, and that juror statements showed that the jury did not reach a unanimous verdict.

However, the judge issued a ruling in December that essentially agreed with prosecutors who contended that correct information was given to Maese's defense attorneys, that jury instructions were quite detailed and that each juror, when polled after the verdict was announced, answered individually in court that Maese was "guilty" of the charges.

E-MAIL: lindat@desnews.com