Baker v. State
Baker v. State
Opinion of the Court
On direct appeal of her racketeering conviction, Amber Renea Baker argues the trial court erred in denying her motion for judgment of acquittal. She contends the state failed to adduce sufficient evidence from which the jury could conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that she knew that the escort service her brother ran, and for which she worked occasionally, operated as a front for a prostitution ring.
The state put on no evidence that she acted as a prostitute herself, and failed to adduce evidence sufficient to prove that she agreed to secure (an)other person(s) for prostitution or otherwise violated
Reversed.
. The state charged appellant with violating the racketeering statute, see § 895.03, Fla. Stat. (2006), by on at least two occasions either (1) agreeing to secure another for the purpose of prostitution in violation of section 796.07(2)(b), Florida Statutes; (2) directing, taking, or transporting a person to a place, structure, building, or to any other person while knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such directing, taking, or transporting was for the purpose of prostitution, in violation of section 796.07(2)(d), Florida Statutes; and/or (3) aiding or abetting another person to commit or engage in prostitution, in violation of section 796.07(2)(h), Florida Statutes, while she was employed by or associated with an escort service.
. A person who "commit[s], ... attempt[s] to commit, ... conspiréis] to commit, or ... solicits], coerce[s], or intimidate[s] another person to commit” any crime chargeable under (among other provisions) section 796.07, Florida Statutes (2006) (prohibiting prostitution), commits racketeering activity. See § 895.02(l)(a)25„ Fla. Stat. (2006).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.