The purported ringleader of allege massage parlor prostitution operations in Bullhead City and Lake Havasu needs a new lawyer. Defense attorney Brad Rideout has been allowed to withdraw as legal counsel for Amanda Yamauchi, 47.
The woman who claims residency in Las Vegas with ties to both Colorado River communities in Arizona is charged in a multi count indictment accusing her of involvement in human trafficking and forcing women to work as prostitutes. More than a half dozen others face various charges for their alleged roles in the operation that was the focus of a two year investigation.
Rideout told Judge Billy Sipe during an April 22 hearing that he has had “a breakdown in communications” with Yamauchi and that she will be better served by new legal counsel. Yamauchi advised the Court that she wanted Rideout to continue to represent her.
But Rideout advised Judge Sipe that he and Yamauchi had reached a stalemate. “I don’t think we are going to be able to overcome our philosophical differences on the case,” Rideout said.
Judge Sipe ruled that Rideout can withdraw. He ordered that Yamauchi will be appointed legal counsel through Mohave County Indigent Defense Services.
Yamauchi retained Rideout but told Judge Sipe that she can no longer afford a lawyer on her own because her income generation has suffered since her arrest last September.
