Vegas Undercover

Donna Miranda is in trouble. And she's called the police for help. Her story?

She came to Vegas to meet a man named Stephen Harris... and she claims he tried to intimidate her into working for him as a prostitute.

Chris Hansen: How did it all start?

Donna Miranda: Um you know, girls are young and naive. And they'll pretty much believe anything a sweet guy has to say to them. And that's what I did. And there are plenty of other girls out there just like me.

It started as an online relationship.

Donna Miranda: And everything seemed to be great. He promised me the world. He was gonna take care of me and my kids. 

But she says that all changed. And that's why the PIMP investigative team is gathered here in this parking lot.

She told police what happened while she and her new boyfriend were at dinner one night.

Donna Miranda: There were a couple of gentlemen over there. And—he had said something to me like, "Why don't you go over there and talk to them, see what you can do for us?”

She thought Harris was suggesting she offer herself for sex.

Donna Miranda: And I thought he was kidding. So I kind of laughed it off. 

But when they got back to his house, Donna says Harris let her know he wasn't joking at all.

Donna Miranda: He says, "Well, why didn't you do what I told you to do?  I make the decisions now.  You don't make your own decisions."  He was like, "You were supposed to go over there and talk to those gentlemen like I told you and make us some money."

She says she needed to get out, and fast. 

Donna Miranda: So I was packing my stuff. He came over and put his arms or his right arm around my stomach. I tried to pull away, and he threw me across the room.

Hansen: Threw you across the room?

Donna Miranda: Yeah.

(she cries)

Terrified... she says she fled the house...barefoot.

Donna Miranda: I didn't have any shoes on. I was just wearing...

Chris Hansen: You just bolted.

Donna Miranda: I just ran out the front door.

That's when she called 911.

911 call:

Donna Miranda: Oh, he slapped me and then he poked me in the eye and he, like, beat me up and stuff like that.

Turns out, after Donna called 911, Harris called police as well, claiming he was the victim, that she hit him.

911 call:

Stephen Harris: Well, uh my girlfriend got a little agitated with me...and was like hitting me repeatedly and kickin' and kind of going crazy.

But police didn't believe him. Especially since he's been arrested for pandering before. Now the pimp investigative team wants to bring Harris in. They ask Donna to call him and arrange a meeting.

Donna on phone with Harris: I mean, I know we got off on the wrong foot and that, you know, things went sour, whatever.

She tries to get Harris to make admissions on the phone.

Donna on phone with Harris: You wanted me to be your only and biggest source of income.

In the end, he declines to meet her. So police decide to close in on his house with a swat team.

Officer on megaphone: Stephen Harris. Las Vegas Metro SWAT Team. You need to come outside.

But Harris isn't there, and his neighbor isn’t surprised to see the police.

Chris Hansen: What kind of neighbor was he?

Neighbor: What kind of neighbor was he?

Neighbor: The police were here at least a half a dozen times and a couple times they brought him in and he was crying like a baby.

Detective on phone: Hey, Stephen, how you doing, man?

Detectives come up with another plan...they tell Harris to meet them at a Starbucks..so they can sort out what happened. They tell him they're investigating whether Donna really did start the fight.

Officer on phone: You know I obviously didn’t have a chance to talk to you. I just wanted to talk to you about what happened the other night. She gave me her side of the story.

And Harris takes the bait.

Chris Hansen: It's about five minutes after two. Harris said he'd be here at the Starbucks at 2:00 to meet with the—detective. 

When Harris shows up, the officers move in and arrest him. He agrees to talk to me.

Chris Hansen: I'm Chris Hansen, Dateline NBC.

Stephen Harris: Nice to meet you.

Chris Hansen: I'd shake your hand except you look like...

Chris Hansen: We're doin' a story on pimps—

Stephen Harris: In Las Vegas?

Chris hansen: In Las Vegas, yeah.

Stephen Harris: Lucky for me, huh?

Chris Hansen: Lucky for you...You ever see—you ever see our show To Catch a Predator?

Stephen Harris: Yeah, that's what I'm sayin'.  What—was she 17 or somethin'?

Chris Hansen: No, no, no.

Stephen Harris: Phew. That's good.

Harris says he did nothing wrong...that Donna found him online. Her photos may be what attracted him.

Chris Hansen: What was your plan for Donna?

Stephen Harris: I was gonna make her my lady.

Chris Hansen: Your lady?

Stephen Harris: Yeah, my woman.

Harris insists he's not a pimp, and never asked Donna to approach a group of men when they were out to dinner.

Chris Hansen: What about at the restaurant that time when she says—

Video   Armed and dangerous? Chris has a chat with this man, suspected of selling stolen guns. Dateline NBC

Stephen Harris: Was y'all followin' us around at the restaurant that time?  What's goin' on?

Chris Hansen: I'll get to that in a little bit.

Stephen Harris: I ask you like this. If I was a so-called pimp, I would never let someone of my girls go solicit somebody while they're with me. Come on, get real. Why would I do that? That's just dumb. If I was a pimp, I wouldn't do that. 

And remember—he called police to say Donna hit him, not the other way around.

Chris Hansen: So, you're the victim here?

Stephen Harris: Honestly, I am the victim. First, she beats me up. I call domestic violence on her. Now, I'm in goin' to jail for pimping. Yes, honestly I am the victim here.

Before he goes off to jail, Harris offers a word of advice.

Stephen Harris: That's our system. That's what I want folks to know. So, men out there, if you think you wanna call the officers because your spouse beat you up, you might wanna think about that again.

Chris Hansen: Aright. Well, listen. I appreciate you talkin' to me.

Stephen Harris: No problem. I appreciate you guys talking to me.

Chris Hansen: I appreciate that. Alright, you take care.

Stephen Harris: Keep up the good work. I like, I like that show.

Harris has pleaded guilty to pandering. He faces a potential four year sentence.

While the pimp squad takes Harris away—the undercover storefront is still attracting suspects who seem to think they have a license to steal.

But one in particular thinks he has a license to print money....

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