AMERICAN FORK -- A Lindon woman was bound over for trial in 4th District Court Tuesday on charges of exploiting a prostitute, prostitution and unprofessional conduct for what police say was a sexually-based massage business she ran with her granddaughter and another relative.
Brenda Joy Anderson, 59, will face a trial on all five charges, two of which are third-degree felonies. An additional charge of unprofessional conduct was dismissed by prosecutors Tuesday. Prosecutor Alex Ludlow produced evidence that Anderson and her two relatives, Temperance Penrod, 19, and Sarah Penrod, 27, performed sexual favors for clients.
"The charges in this case, I think, have been easily established," he said.
Lindon police Sgt. Doug Eastman testified for the prosecution that he ran an investigation into Anderson's business based on a report of suspicious activity at her home at 1557 W. 590 North in Lindon. Undercover officers from the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force and the Sandy police department were sent to the home to validate the allegations and determine what services were being sold, he said.
"We didn't feel like one of our officers could legitimately go in there without being recognized," he said.
The first detective who went to the home was given a normal massage and left, Eastman said. However, two detectives who later went to the home at separate times were offered sexual services during the massage. Both officers declined the service and were in turn told by Temperance and Sarah Penrod that most men who request a massage expect sexual favors, Eastman said.
"[Sarah Penrod] also made statements that it was nice not to have to do that," he said.
Eastman said Sarah Penrod also said she often does topless massages. Temperance Penrod allegedly told police after her arrest that she learned how to give sexual massages from Anderson, who gave her $40 as an incentive when she first gave an illicit massage. Both women were also expected to give a percentage of their earnings to Anderson, he said.
Temperance Penrod allegedly told police she was in the room when Anderson performed sex acts and intercourse on clients.
Temperance and Sarah Penrod were both called as witnesses Tuesday, but both claimed their Fifth Amendment right to not testify as they have charges pending in Lindon City for the case.
Defense attorney Doug Nielson told the judge he believed there was little evidence to support the charges against his client, as all of the testimony at the hearing came from Eastman. The only evidence suggesting Anderson performed sexual acts came from the Penrods through police statements, and Nielson could not cross-examine their statements, he said.
"Again, she's not available for confrontation, cross-examination," he said.
Nielson pointed out that neither officer who was offered sexual services had any physical contact with Anderson, only with Temperance or Sarah Penrod.
Judge Christine Johnson agreed with the prosecution, however, and bound Anderson over on all counts. She will be formally arraigned Oct. 6.
Posted in Local, Lindon, American-fork on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 12:20 am Updated: 7:24 am. | Tags: American Fork, Lindon
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