EVERETT — A judge has set a May trial date for an Everett man accused of engaging in criminal behavior at one of his roadside bikini espresso stands.
Bill Wheeler Jr. made a brief appearance Friday in Snohomish County Superior Court. Wheeler is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor in connection with the employment of a 16-year-old barista who was seen exposing herself to customers. Wheeler, who took over his father’s Grab-n-Go espresso huts, pleaded not guilty to the charge on Friday.
He remains out of custody. He is banned from having any contact with the teenage girl.
Everett police working an undercover operation reported that the girl was seen exposing herself to customers. Prosecutors allege that Wheeler knew the girl was a minor and was aware that she was flashing for tips.
Wheeler, 29, had installed surveillance cameras inside the stands, allowing him to watch a live-feed from his cellphone, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Matthew Baldock wrote.
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