Woman Free of Charges in Bondage Case

A 57-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of running a bondage “dungeon” in her home, charging clients $200 an hour to be shackled, will not face prostitution charges, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

Betty Johnson Davis and John Lester, 63, were arrested at Davis’ Vista Encanta townhouse Feb. 2 after an undercover sheriff’s deputy posing as a customer answered an advertisement in a sexually explicit magazine. No charges will be filed against Lester.

“We didn’t find sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Lance P. Jensen said. “Our decision not to file in the matter does not reflect any opinion on this type of behavior. Each case is looked at individually.”

Jensen said that no decision had been reached regarding another investigation involving Davis. On Dec. 27, 1993, a 53-year-old San Mateo County man was found dead in the basement of Davis’ house. An autopsy later determined that the man died of asphyxiation from a metal chain wrapped around his neck. Jensen said that prosecutors in the homicide division have not made any decision regarding the earlier death.

Deputies who arrested Davis in February reported finding a jail cell in the basement, along with two full-size stockades and pulleys and harnesses anchored to ceiling beams.

“We don’t get a lot of cases like this,” Jensen said. “It’s certainly unique.”