3 Massage Parlors Targeted in Prostitution Sting

SCOTTSDALE - Detectives from the Scottsdale Police department are serving search warrants at several massage parlors, 18 months after an anonymous tipster said they were being used as a front for prostitution.

Detectives served search warrants at 3 massage parlor locations and at the private residence of the owner: Scottsdale Massage in Scottsdale, Paradise Island Massage in Mesa, Busy Bodies Massage in Scottsdale, and the home of Laura Ann Walden and Michael Vern Sanford in Mesa.

Five people were arrested and $18,000 in cash and up to $1 million in equipment and assets was seized.

It all started in November 2008 when the Scottsdale Police Department received information that prostitution was taking place at a licensed massage facility, Scottsdale Massage.

Laura Ann Walden was determined to be the owner of Scottsdale Massage, which operates under AZ Applied Therapeutics. Walden lives in Mesa with her boyfriend, Michael Sanford. Sanford was listed as an employee of AZ Applied Therapeutics and the manager of Scottsdale Massage.

Walden also owns Paradise Island Massage in Mesa, which she opened in December 2008. In December 2009, Michael Sanford assumed ownership of Busy Bodies Massage in Scottsdale.

On its website, it boasts an all-female staff with customizable massages.

During the 18-month investigation, detectives and undercover operatives learned that massage therapists at the three locations were offering and performing sex acts under the pretense of massage services, according to their report.

Walden and Sanford are facing charges including operating a prostitution business and engaging in prostitution.

Detectives are now going through the businesses' financial documents for patrons' names and credit card information.