Four women arrested in prostitution sting

HARDEEVILLE -- Four women were arrested Friday at a Hardeeville massage parlor on charges of prostitution, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff's Office statement released Tuesday.

The arrests were made Friday by the Beaufort-Jasper Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force with the assistance of Immigration Customs Enforcement and the Hardeeville Police Department after a search warrant was executed at the Sun Spa in Argent Square in Hardeeville.

During the task force's investigation into the alleged prostitution ring, law enforcement agents learned the business had been selling sexual acts over the last several months, the Sheriff's Office news release said.

The women were charged with misdemeanor prostitution after the search.

Cpl. Robin McIntosh, sheriff's spokeswoman, said so far no one has been charged as a ringleader, though she said such a charge still could be brought.

The women were taken to the Jasper County jail Friday, and all were released Saturday morning, each on $470 bonds.

None of the four had local addresses, with two indicating they were from California and the other women stating they were from suburbs of Washington and Atlanta respectively.

McIntosh said the women appeared to be living in the massage parlor.

Master Sgt. Chris Sankowski of the task force said if the women are found guilty, each could face $200 to $500 in fines or up to 30 days in prison for a first offense. The penalties increase for repeat offenses.