Two of the arrests come at Valencia
massage parlor.

Deputies assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff
Department's Major Crimes Bureau – Morals Team arrested three female suspects
on prostitution related charges following an investigation into suspected
unlawful activities at L & V Massage – 23334
Valencia Boulevard, Valencia,
and a second investigation the same day at a local hotel in an unincorporated
area of Los AngelesCounty
– Sunset Pointe.

On Tuesday, August 12, deputies conducted the first sting
operation at the L&V Massage location which resulted in the arrest of two
of the massage therapists on charges that they allegedly offered prostitution
related services in exchange for money, in direct violation of California
law.

Linna Bernier, FA/50, of Valencia
and Guiying Tang, FA/48, of Arcadia
were each arrested and cited on misdemeanor Prostitution charges.  They
are scheduled to appear in Newhall Superior Court in October.

In the second incident, deputies conducted a sting operation
at a local hotel after investigating an ad on the Craigslist Web site of a
female who was allegedly offering prostitution related services.  The
female, Rebecca Norton, FW/21, of Hemet,
was arrested and cited on misdemeanor Prostitution charges after a similar
sting operation.  Deputies reportedly determined the suspect had allegedly
been coming into the Santa Clarita Valley area on a weekly basis for several
months, and booking a room at the hotel to run her illegal prostitution
operation.  Suspect Norton is also scheduled to appear in Newhall Superior
Court in October.      

"These arrests send a clear message that the Santa
Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station will not tolerate unlawful business practices
and illegal lewd acts in our family community," said Captain Anthony La
Berge.  "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has several
resources and specialized teams to pursue such blatant violations of the
law.  We will ensure that all similar businesses are operating ethically
and within the parameters of the law.  Others who choose to engage in
these unlawful business practices and illegal behavior, and those who visit
such establishments, make such arrangements, and participate in unlawful
activities will also be subject to arrest in future operations," he added.