The operator of a chain of Seattle-based tanning salons recently received approximately a two-year federal prison sentence followed by a supervised release of three years, thanks to a guilty plea for pushing prostitution through his businesses. In addition, the California man had to relinquish a collection of expensive watches and more than $150,000. He had a similar past conviction, for which he previously spent nearly two years incarcerated in California.
The Washington-state businesses involved in the case were Malibu Tanning Spa, Aloha Tanning Resort and the Avalon Spa.
A second California man has also been convicted in the case. He entered a guilty plea for conspiring to transport people with the intention of involving them in the prostitution ring.
Officials report that the two men worked together with female operators to run the brothels. Large sums of cash were involved, as was a scheme to recruit ladies for employment. The women were aware that they would be providing sexual services as part of their move and employ.
According to counsel, the ringleader’s four-year scheme of using tanning salons as a front for prostitution was “fairly sophisticated.” It involved storing the ill-gotten gain in numerous banks, as well as rapidly closing the accounts and physically moving monies out of state.
Source:
The Seattle Times: 2-year sentence for operator of brothels in N. Seattle, Renton, Tukwila
