CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / VISTA
Twenty-two women have been arrested and nine businesses closed in Vista in northern San Diego County after an undercover investigation into prostitution at day spas and acupuncturists, the Sheriff’s Department announced Wednesday.
Most of the women were Chinese nationals. Immigration officials have found that some of the women are in this country illegally, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation began when city officials noticed an “abnormally high number” of business licenses being sought for acupuncture and day spa establishments.
The businesses were identified as Touch of Asian Day Spa, Seren Acu-Care, Melrose Spa, Vista Town Spa, Bright Acupuncture, JW Acupuncture, Li Jun Acupuncture I, Li Jun Acupuncture II, and Vista Health Center.
The charges include prostitution, illegal touching, and municipal code and health code violations.
-- Tony Perry
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