3 baristas arrested for ‘exhibition and exposure’

EVERETT — Three Everett baristas were arrested Wednesday for allegedly selling customers sexy shows in violation of city adult-entertainment codes.

“We arrested the participants in the act,” Everett police spokesman Aaron Snell said.

The violations are alleged at the Grab-N-Go espresso stands at 2030 Broadway and 333 SE Everett Mall Way.

All three suspects were released from custody Wednesday after being interviewed. They are a 16-year-old from Everett, a 21-year-old from Shoreline, and a 29-year-old from Seattle. Police aren’t releasing their names pending potential charges.

The stands’ owner on Wednesday denied any wrongdoing.

The arrests about 1 p.m. Wednesday were the culmination of a two-month investigation by undercover detectives, Snell said. The investigation began after people lodged complaints with the cops.

The women are accused of breaking the city’s “Adult Cabaret Law,” regarding adult entertainment.

That’s a misdemeanor offense, Snell said. The investigation is ongoing, but there are no indications of prostitution activity so far, he said.

Detectives on Wednesday evening were interviewing the women at the police department, Snell said. It wasn’t immediately clear if they’d be booked into jail.

Detectives had not yet confirmed their ages, Snell said.

“That information will be forthcoming,” he said.

Investigators reported “uncovered exhibition and exposure,” Everett police Lt. Jim Duffy said.

“During the investigation, video surveillance showed that at times coffee or drinks were not served, but shows were paid for and given,” he said.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the coffee stand owners were involved, Snell said.

State licensing records show the Grab-N-Go company is based in Everett and owns nine espresso stands and other sorts of food-and-drink establishments locally.

One of the listed owners is the son of Bill Wheeler. Bill D. Wheeler Jr. took over the stands after his father went missing in 2010.

The Wheeler family was at the center of a 2009 prostitution investigation involving baristas performing lewd acts at espresso stands.

Bill Wheeler never was found.

Bill D. Wheeler Jr. on Wednesday told The Herald that he enforces strict policies for his six baristas, including no drug use, and no personal visitors at the stands.

Flashing is not allowed, he said.

“They have to be dressed a certain way,” he said. “Their crotch has to be covered up. They can’t expose their areolas.”

Violation of the rules is grounds for immediate termination, he said.

“I have to be like that,” he said.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Lynnwood
Crash in Lynnwood blocks Highway 99 south

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, fully blocked southbound lanes. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Search underway to find missing Everett child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday morning at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive.

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.