The Kent promoting prostitution trial for ex-University of Washington basketball player Venoy Overton has been continued to April 2.
Overton’s trial date had been set for Jan. 23. But Overton requested and received a continuance on Jan. 6 in King County Superior Court from Judge Mary Roberts, according to court documents.
Overton and defense attorney James Bible listed further investigation and negotiation as the reasons for the request to continue the case. Prosecutors agreed with the motion for continuance.
If convicted as charged for second-degree promoting prostitution, Overton faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Overton, 23, of Seattle, posted bail June 30 after about two weeks in the county jail in Kent. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree promoting prostitution.
Kent Police began their investigation of Overton in May when undercover officers contacted an 18-year-old woman for prostitution activity on Pacific Highway South, a well-known area for prostitution in Kent. That woman told police that Overton had arranged for her to work the streets as a prostitute, according to charging papers.
Kent Police arrested Overton June 16 in Seattle for investigation of second-degree promoting prostitution. Overton graduated earlier in June from the UW.
The woman told police she met Overton in September 2010 and they started to date around Thanksgiving 2010. Cellphone records obtained through search warrants by detectives show Overton called the woman frequently between November 2010 and early June.
Overton reportedly told detectives he took the woman to the “track” (a term used for high areas of prostitution) because he knew he was going to get some money. He also told them he knew what he did was wrong and stated he screwed up.
When asked why he still did it if he knew it was wrong, Overton replied to detectives, “I’m not gonna turn down money from a girl.”
Overton ranks third all-time in UW history with 177 steals and fifth all-time with 390 assists. Overton led Franklin High School of Seattle to a state basketball title in 2006.
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