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Your guide to the latest news from around the Northwest

March 6, 2013 at 7:03 PM

Everett bikini-barista stand owners arrested

Everett Police arrested two owners of Grab-N-Go coffee stands this morning for investigation of sexual exploitation of a minor, a felony.

Bill Wheeler Jr. 29, was booked into Snohomish County Jail and his 27-year-old co-owner was released while prosecutors decide whether to charge him, said Everett Police Department spokesman Aaron Snell. Detectives searched and collected evidence this afternoon at two of the business’ locations: 2030 North Broadway Ave. and 333 S.W. Everett Mall Way.

The 16-year-old Everett girl police allege the owners sexually exploited was arrested last month along with a 29-year-old Seattle woman and 21-year-old Shoreline woman on suspicion of giving adult entertainment at a business not licensed to do so. All were released, but misdemeanor charges were referred to Everett Municipal Court.

Another 23-year-old woman investigated in the undercover operation pleaded not guilty to seven charges today at an arraignment, according to Kate Reardon, a spokeswoman for the City of Everett. Her jury trial date is set for April 29.

Everett detectives worked less than eight hours altogether over a six-week period in their investigation of bikini-barista stand businesses, according to a City of Everett release.

“Detectives quickly learned the alleged criminal conduct could be seen by drivers and passersby,” the release said. “For the North Broadway stand, this included school children who could view the conduct at the stand on their way to and from the nearby middle school.”

Everett police have investigated and charged women for performing lewd acts several times in the past. Kent police have also been investigating bikini coffee bar stands since October and arrested two women last week.

Comments | More in The Blotter | Topics: bikini baristas, commercial sexual abuse of a minor, Everett

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The Today File is a general news blog featuring real-time coverage of Seattle and the Northwest. It is reported by the news staff of The Seattle Times and edited by Assistant Metro Editor Nick Provenza.

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