Prostitute Led Police to Suspect, Court Told

A prostitute repulsed by a request for sex with her 3-year-old daughter prompted police to investigate and arrest an Oxnard man on charges of soliciting sex with a minor, a Ventura County detective testified Wednesday.

Ventura police arrested Marc Charles Leege, 38, at a Motel 6 on Harbor Boulevard on Dec. 7 as he allegedly bargained with an undercover officer for the purchase of a toddler.

Police said they were led to Leege by a prostitute he approached on Thompson Boulevard in October, Ventura Police Cpl. Glen Young testified at Leege’s preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Young identified the woman as Sandra Simmons, who told him she was strolling Thompson Boulevard in front of the Topper Motel and Liquor Store in early October when Leege pulled over in his pickup truck and engaged her in conversation, Young testified.

Young testified that Leege told Simmons that “she didn’t belong on Thompson Boulevard” and that Simmons replied that she had rent to pay and a 3-year-old daughter to support.

“She stated that [Leege] became unusually interested,” when she mentioned her daughter, Young testified. After another face-to-face meeting and several telephone calls, Simmons decided to tell police about Leege’s interest in her daughter, Young said.

Police had Simmons call Leege and tell him she knew somebody who could provide a toddler for a fee and a meeting was set up with the undercover officer where he was arrested.

After his arrest, “he made the comment to the effect that there are endless bounds to human passion,” Young testified.

Leege’s preliminary hearing is scheduled to continue today.

Leege has pleaded not guilty to two counts of pandering and two counts of soliciting sex from a minor. He faces a maximum term of 12 years in prison if convicted.