The future 4 years possible for Queens fortune teller
Tarot Reading
The arrests were made one day earlier at three locations in the Astoria section, where the women violated state law that requires all readings be done for entertainment or amusement purposes only, authorities said.
The three suspects weren't amused when they discovered their clients were undercover police officers taking part in a sting operation. The probe began in March.
"The defendants themselves apparently suffered vision deficiencies as they could not see themselves being prosecuted on fraud charges in their futures," Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said.
According to Brown, the suspects were Sabrina Martell, 42, Dorothy Miller, 53, and Rose Miller, 73, all of Queens.
Martell was charged with grand larceny, scheme to defraud and fortune telling. The Millers, who are not related, were charged with petit larceny and fortune telling. All were awaiting arraignment.
Martell, who operated under the name Readings by Julia, told one undercover agent that she could eliminate evil spirits for an additional $900 on top of her usual fee, prosecutors said. A second undercover officer was told that a $1,300 payment would return her wayward boyfriend, authorities said.
Martell was arrested after taking a $1,100 payment, Brown said.
Dorothy Miller, aka Reading by Elena, offered a discounted price of $275 to $375 for evil spirit removal, Brown said. Rose Miller, billed as Psychic Readings by Rosa, charged $35 a pop for psychic tarot card sessions that would foretell the future, Brown said.
The investigation was ongoing, and Brown encouraged victims of similar crimes to contact his office.
The district attorney did not need a crystal ball to guess at the defendants' futures. Martell faced up to four years in prison if convicted, while the Millers faced one year apiece.
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