The owner of a day spa and four employees were arrested and cited in connection with an undercover prostitution sting at the Buena Park business, according to police officials.
An investigation that took several months culminated at noon Thursday when Buena Park police raided the Lincoln Day Spa, 6971 Lincoln Ave., said Sgt. William Kohanek.
Police arrested owner Timothy Tuney Pham, 39, of Huntington Beach, and he was charged for violating his business license, a misdemeanor, said Kohanek. Investigators are considering whether to ask the Orange County District Attorney's Office to charge him with felony pimping or pandering.
Employees Tuyen Thuy Nguyen, 24, of Garden Grove, Nghi Nguyen, 37, of Midway City, Hanh Thi My Nguyen, 51, of Garden Grove, and Cindy Crawford, 37, of Westminster, were charged with misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution, said Kohanek.
The day spa advertised acupuncture and massage, but undercover officers were offered sex with a massage for a higher price, said Kohanek.
A similar business at the same address was shut down a year ago for the same reason, so investigators sent in the undercover officers to bolster their case this time, explained Kohanek.
All five have been released on the misdemeanor citations, but investigators are continuing to work the case to see if further charges are warranted.
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