Southern California woman arrested, accused of operating brothels disguised as skin care spas
A Southern California woman was arrested for allegedly operating brothels at the skin care spas she owned in Ventura and Orange counties.
The suspect was identified as Amanda Xia, 44, from Yorba Linda, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
In early 2024, detectives began investigating reports that Swan Spa, located in the 100 block of North Rancho Road in Thousand Oaks, was allegedly operating as a commercial sex establishment.
Authorities said evidence was found that confirmed the suspect, Xia, was financially benefitting from the illicit services her employees were offering to customers.
Xia also owned three other spa locations which investigators identified as brothels involved in similar illegal sex operations.
“Detectives were able to positively identify multiple male individuals suspected of purchasing commercial sex at each of the four locations under investigation,” officials said.
Xia was arrested at her Orange County home on charges of pimping, pandering and money laundering.
On Nov.13, search warrants were served at the suspect’s home and all four spa locations:
Swan Spa – 100 block of North Rancho Road, Thousand Oaks
Star Spa – 400 black of North Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park
Victoria Spa – 23000 block of El Toro Road, Lake Forest
Four Seasons Spa – 20000 block of Lake Forest Drive, Lake Forest
The coordinated operation involved multiple agencies including the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Xia was taken into custody and is being held on $100,000 bail.
“The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their ongoing support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes,” officials said.
Anyone with additional information can call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office at 805-654-2380.
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