Plain-clothes members of Howard County police?s Vice and Narcotics Unit sat in District Court on Wednesday ready to testify against their highest-profile prostitution bust of the year.
But Brandy Britton, 43, the ex-University of Maryland, Baltimore County women?s studies professor accused of performing acts of prostitution out of an Ellicott City cul-de-sac home, never gave them the chance.
Britton, through her Severna Park attorney Christopher Flohr, asked Judge Neil Edward Axel for a jury trial. Axel scheduled the trial for Oct. 24 in Howard County Circuit Court.
And, within minutes of arriving, Britton was gone.
As she left the courthouse, Britton?s only comment on the charges against her were: “I?m fortunate to have terrific attorneys.”
Police said Britton operated a Web site called Alexisangel.com, which is no longer active, that advertised sexual acts in exchange for money.
Britton charged a minimum of $300 per hour for modeling and providing companionship, but did not engage in prostitution, according to the site.
“Money exchanged in legal adult personal services for modeling is simply for my time and companionship,” the site stated.
At noon Jan. 17, a police officer made an appointment to meet Britton at her home, according to charging documents.
Britton led the officer to a bedroom, where she instructed the officer to undress and place $400 on the table, police said.
The officer then opened the door to members of the department?s vice and narcotics squad, who arrested Britton, police said.
Police said they searched the house and found “numerous business records” in Britton?s name tying her to the Web site.
Officers also confiscated 150 condoms and nine bottles of lubricating substances from the house, charging documents state.
Each charge Britton faces carries a penalty of up to one year in jail or a $500 fine.
