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Prostitution Sting Nets Arrests At Health Studio

6 Arrested In Branford Sting

POSTED: 7:49 pm EST December 2, 2009
UPDATED: 6:49 pm EST December 3, 2009

Police said several prostitution arrests were made at a Branford health studio Wednesday night.

Six people were charged with promoting prostitution after a sting at Marlow’s Health Studio on East Main Street, police said.

Police said they made the raid after receiving numerous complaints about the business.

Court records indicate police used a confidential witness to go into the studio posing as a customer. The witness hid a camera in a fake arm cast and gathered the evidence to help secure the warrants for Wednesday night's arrests. The witness went in and paid for a massage. He was told to select a woman and then go into a room. The court documents say the woman walked into the room half clothed. More money was exchanged and police said sexual acts were performed.

There are other businesses in the same building including a dentist and a certified public accountant.

Those arrested included Karen Francis, of Milford; Stephanie Hammill, of Bridgeport; Carmel Mahon, of Quaker Hill; and Bridge Hastings, of West Haven. All four were charged with prostitution.

Three of the women were in a Branford court on Thursday.

Also arrested and charged with promoting prostitution and permitting prostitution were Howard Johnson and Jazmin Benavides, of Ansonia.

Mahon, Benavides and Johnson were being held on $100,000 bonds. Hammill and Francis were being held on $50,000 bonds. Hastings was released on a written promise to appear.

Police said only one of the women arrested had a prior record of prostitution.

They are all scheduled to be back in court on Dec. 15.

Police said more arrests are expected in the investigation.

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