Omaha Couple Sentenced for Federal Prostitution Related Offenses

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on November 20, 2015, Louis A. Venditte, 67, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced for four federal felony prostitution related offenses, which include conspiracy to transport an individual in interstate commerce with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution, and to use a facility in interstate commerce in aid of a racketeering enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371;  transportation for purposes of prostitution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2421; inducement and enticement to engage in prostitution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(a); and use of a facility in interstate commerce in aid of a racketeering enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a)(3)(A).  The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon, Senior United States District Court Judge, sentenced Louis A.Venditte to a 1 year and 1 day term of imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.    

            On November 20, 2015, Ruby A. Venditte, 67, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced for one felony count of conspiracy to transport an individual in interstate commerce with intent that such individual engage in prostitution.  The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon, Senior United States District Court Judge, sentenced Ruby A. Venditte to a 3 year term of probation. 

            An investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Police Department, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Department determined that from at least 2003 through October, 2013, the Vendittes operated an establishment located at 623 South 16th Street, Omaha, Nebraska.  The business was last identified by the name “Goodfellas.”

            Goodfellas was advertised as a club featuring “exotic dancers” who appeared on stage in bikinis or similar attire, but in fact was operated as a prostitution enterprise.  Goodfellas was typically open for only a few hours each evening during which time customers would engage in sex acts with female workers.   

            After being hired, female workers were encouraged to engage in prostitution with customers for a monetary fee.   While operating as a prostitution enterprise, the Vendittes transported at least one female to and from the State of Iowa to Goodfellas with the intent she would engage in prostitution.  

            Customers engaged in sex acts with female workers for prices ranging from $100 to $200.  The sex acts typically occurred within the Goodfellas’ premises in the two bedrooms in the upper area of the building.  Payments for sex acts were cash.  At the end of the evening the Vendittes would split money made from commercial sex acts with the female workers.  While operating as a prostitution enterprise, at no time did Goodfellas report earnings to the Internal Revenue Service.

            The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Police Department, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.