Barmaids Accused of ‘Blatant’ Prostitution

After investigating what they described as “blatant” acts of prostitution inside the Thien Kim Bar on North Magnolia Avenue, police have arrested two women working as barmaids there.

My Thanh-Thi Nguyen, 35, of Trabuco Canyon and Bich Lien-Ngoc Nguyen, 33, of Garden Grove were arrested last week after they solicited undercover officers for acts of prostitution and to buy them drinks, officials said.

Vice Sgt. Steve Walker said the women contacted customers at the bar and used two booths inside the establishment to engage in prostitution acts.

“This was so blatant,” Walker said, adding that the booths are 10 to 15 feet away from other bar customers.

The Police Department’s vice detail became aware a week ago of possible illegal activity inside the Magnolia Avenue business, officials said. Anaheim’s vice detail, assisted by the Fullerton Police Department’s vice detail and state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control investigators from the Santa Ana office, then conducted an undercover operation at the bar.

Walker said the bartender was not arrested but that charges are pending. Police, city code enforcement and ABC officials are still deciding whether charges will be brought against the bar’s owner, who was not there at the time of the undercover operation.