PHOENIX, AZ – A 67-year-old woman from Phoenix has been taken into custody, accused of operating a brothel out of her residence near Greenway and Cave Creek Roads. According to court documents, the operation allegedly dates back to 2015, raising questions about how it evaded detection for nearly a decade.
The investigation began when a local woman, suspicious of her husband’s activities, discovered messages on his phone indicating monetary exchanges for sexual services. Her findings led her to the residence on Paradise Lane, prompting her to alert authorities.
The Phoenix Police Department, in collaboration with Tempe police’s human trafficking unit, launched an investigation into the alleged brothel. Detectives uncovered over 1,000 online advertisements purportedly promoting the illicit business. During a visit to the residence, officers observed a room filled with high heels and a sophisticated security setup, including a TV in the kitchen displaying live feeds from security cameras.
Neighbors in the area reported seeing luxury vehicles frequently parked outside the home and men entering and exiting the property. These observations corroborated the police’s findings and further supported the allegations against the homeowner, Elizabeth Cartaica.
Further investigation revealed that multiple men admitted to visiting the residence for sexual acts. Additionally, a sex worker who had operated out of the home informed police that Cartaica provided rooms to workers and took a 10% cut of their earnings.
Despite the charges, Cartaica’s attorney argued that she intends to contest the accusations, noting that she has no prior criminal record. However, police records indicate that Cartaica was previously arrested in 2018 for prostitution after allegedly attempting to engage with an undercover officer at the same location.
The case has drawn significant attention from local residents and authorities, highlighting ongoing concerns about illicit activities in residential neighborhoods and the challenges of detecting such operations.