Prostitution Stings Lead to 27 Arrests

Twenty-seven people have been charged with running prostitution operations from five massage parlors and chiropractic offices in the San Fernando Valley, authorities said Wednesday.

Among those charged was Kathryn Good, 52, a licensed chiropractor, who faces three counts of maintaining a house of prostitution by leasing out her license to chiropractic clinics, including Chiropractic Care in Granada Hills, Sylmar Chiropractic Care and Topanga Therapy in Chatsworth, said City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo.

Employees at those three businesses as well as at two massage parlors -- Sol Therapy in Mission Hills and Mia’s Therapy in North Hills -- were charged with various prostitution-related crimes, Delgadillo said.

The cases stemmed from neighbors’ complaints about suspicious activity at the businesses. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division vice unit conducted stings in November and December.

Undercover investigators posed as clients, discussed sex-for-money arrangements and agreed on terms before making arrests, officials said. Investigators confiscated cash, condoms, customer logs and business licenses.

The defendants were charged with prostitution, residing in a house of prostitution, maintaining a house of prostitution and providing massages without a license. Each count carries a maximum sentence of six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine.