Duo admit 'candle store' prostitution front

Two men accused of operating a prostitution ring out of a Northwest Side storefront that was registered with the city as a candle store pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated promotion of prostitution.

Joshua Louis Edwards, 22, will face up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced next month by state District Judge Maria Teresa Herr. Malcolm Deandre Copeland, 21, agreed to a five-year prison term.

The duo operated the business, which they referred to as Black Stone Relaxation/Day Spa in online ads, during August 2012 and September 2012 in a shopping center that also included a magic shop, a children's hair salon and a day care. Before then, the business was in Universal City.

The San Antonio Police Department's vice unit began investigating the place last year after neighboring business operators noticed that only men would visit the store and the staff would lock the door after letting customers in, according to court documents.

During a sting last October, an undercover officer recounted an employee stripping down to her panties and offering to perform a sexual act for an extra $65. Another employee was available for “full service,” she was alleged to have told him.

“This wasn't a massage place or a spa of any legitimacy,” prosecutor Kirsta Melton said Monday. “It wasn't a full-on brothel, but it was clearly a place where prostitution was acceptable.”

Aggravated promotion of prostitution, a rare charge in Bexar County that involves the alleged pimping of multiple women, is usually punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Had the cases gone to trial, both men could have faced enhanced sentence ranges of up to 20 years because of earlier convictions.

ckapitan@express-news.net

Twitter: @HearsaySA