Ex-University of Washington basketball player Venoy Overton is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 23 in Kent on a charge of second-degree promoting prostitution.
Overton received the trial date at a court hearing Wednesday in King County Superior Court at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
If convicted as charged, 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.
While speaking with the woman, officers learned that she had been brought to the area by her boyfriend who directed her to perform acts of prostitution. She identified her boyfriend as Overton, according to charging papers.
The young woman also told officers that she had been given specific instructions of what sex acts to perform and what to charge, and had returned a portion of the money gained back to Overton. The woman further disclosed that she had been brought to the area to prostitute on two prior occasions.
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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