AUBURN

A 10-month investigation by the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office has broken up what sheriff Rob Outhouse called a burglary, robbery and prostitution ring victimizing migrant workers on farms in the southern part of the county.

Clarence Brown, 54, of 8668 York Settlement Road, Sodus; and Shannon Terwilliger, 25, of 19 Orchard St., Auburn, have been charged with robbery, burglary and promoting prostitution.

Kelly Finnerty, 25, of 19 Orchard St., is also charged with burglary and robbery.

All three are being held at Cayuga County Jail.

“None of the people arrested were involved in the sexual activity, they were arranging it,” Outhouse said. “We don't have any proof right now they were involved.”

County detectives Brian Schenck and Steve Smith began investigating in December 2005 after the sheriff's office began receiving complaints in late fall 2005 that migrant workers on farms in Fleming and Scipio were being victimized, according to a press release from the sheriff's office. Complaints included residency break-ins and larcenies of personal items and money while people were present in their residences.

The investigation revealed a prostitution ring in which sexual favors were exchanged for money from the migrants and often, while workers were distracted, money and property was stolen from their residences, according to the sheriff's office.

“It doesn't matter what strata you are in a social class, nobody deserves to be victimized,” Outhouse said. “We will not tolerate people acting as predators to anyone. They certainly deserved to be charged.”

Extended investigations were necessary because many of the victims did not speak English and were reluctant to talk to officials because of the language barrier and residency issues, Outhouse said. Workers must show proper citizenship credentials before working, but some of the population has had residency problems causing them to fear speaking to authorities, Outhouse said.

“I commend my detectives for their patience and diligence,” Outhouse said. “Some of these cases take a long time but perseverance pays off.”

Finnerty and Brown are scheduled to re-appear in the Town of Fleming Court while Terwilliger is scheduled to appear in both the towns of Scipio and Fleming Courts.

Brown is not a U.S. citizen and is being held without bail due to immigration violations. He will also appear in the Town of Fleming Court.

The sheriff's department has not yet found the prostitutes involved and Outhouse said he did not know when or if they will be charged.