Los Angeles: West Valley Area vice officers conducted a sting operation at Victoria’s Massage & Acupressure at 19327 Ventura Boulevard.

On Friday, May 16, 2003, at approximately 1:00 p.m., an undercover vice officer entered the parlor posing as a customer seeking a massage. Instead, he was solicited to engage in a sex act with an employee; at this time, the vice unit "took over" the massage business and ran it for several hours.

As a result of the investigation three employees were arrested for prostitution-related charges and eleven clients were arrested for solicitation of prostitution.

This operation was in response to a rise in Massage Therapy locations that are a front for houses of prostitution in the San Fernando Valley.

In addition to the arrest $1,400.00 and items of evidence were recovered and booked.

These investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with questions should contact Sergeant Garcia or Sergeant Witherow of the West Valley Vice Unit at 818-756-8540. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Grace Brady, Media relations Section, 213-485-3586.