Prosecutor dropping sex assault charges against women arrested in Hawaii massage parlor sting
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Honolulu's top prosecutor is dismissing sex assault charges against 16 women who were arrested in a massage parlor prostitution sting.
Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro said Wednesday that the allegations might have constituted a technical violation of law, but proof beyond a reasonable doubt couldn't be established.
The women were arrested earlier this month, but instead of being arrested on suspicion of prostitution, police accused them of sex assault.
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Legal experts say that tactic is extremely unusual.
The Honolulu Police Department didn't immediately comment on the charges being dropped.
Hawaii has a strange history with prostitution investigations. Until a year ago, it was legal for police officers to have sex with prostitutes as part of investigations. State lawmakers changed that last year after The Associated Press highlighted the loophole.