Cross-Dressing Escort Pleads not Guilty to Felony Weapon Charge

A cross-dressing North Carolina man who is accused of possessing a stun gun while meeting with an undercover police officer during an escort sting pleaded not guilty to charges after a preliminary hearing was held Thursday morning.

Verness A. Hunt, 25, of Charlotte, N.C., is charged with felony possession of an electric weapon and misdemeanor resisting an officer. He faces six years and nine months in prison and $20,000 in fines. Hunt, who is out of jail on $525 bail, will return to court March 5.

According to the criminal complaint:

Detectives working with the t arranged to meet with a self-described transgender escort who was offering “to keep company for a fee of $250 an hour” on a website. Police believed that the escort ad was in violation of city ordinances and spoke with the escort, who agreed to meet at a Waukesha hotel.

The man, who was unaware he was speaking with police, told a detective that he was to open the door while naked and leave $250 on a desk in the room. When the man, who was dressed as a woman, arrived at the hotel room, police identified themselves to him and he fled down the hallway. Police chased him and had to physically take the man into custody.

Police found sex toys and 3,000-volt stun gun that was disguised as a cell phone in the man’s purse.