Three patrons were inside the spa when officers busted inside. Those patrons, who lawmen said were in various stages of undress at the time of the raid, are: Arthur Van Smith, 42; Sam Farlow, 66 and Randall Hadaway Jr.
All three men are charged with the misdemeanor crime of visiting an illegal house of prostitution. Police charged four women there, who both worked and lived at VIP Spa. The woman police say ran the business, known as "Kitchen Mama," is charged with operating an illegal house of prostitution. She is year-old Sun Tong Hyang. All three are charged with residing in an illegal house of prostitution, also a misdemeanor. Authorities said the business worked like this: A patron goes in and is greeted by what is called the "Kitchen Mama," usually an older, former prostitute who now manages the younger girls.
The customer will be guided to a room, and pay for a regular massage. Afterward, negotiations begin for sex, including oral sex, intercourse or masturbation. Ron Sellers said. Birmingham police have raided other similar businesses, including the Bali Spa, over the past year.
Such "spas," Sellers said, are nuisances. Police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards said the investigation is ongoing. Immigration and Customs agents said some of the women charged are possibly in the United States illegally. One of them, Edwards said, may face deportation for previous offenses. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
By Carol Robinson crobinson al.
