Billings Couple Convicted for Running Erotic Massage Parlor

The Billings couple convicted of running an erotic massage parlor will spend 13 months in prison, in spite of what they called their immaculately clean, tax-paying prostitution business, where consenting adults practiced safe sex.  The Chief U.S. District Judge rejected a defense request for probation, ordering 52-year-old Gregory McFarland and his wife, 62-year-old “Suzie” McFarland to prison for pleading guilty in August to interstate promotion of prostitution and money laundering.  The judge said anything less would deter no one from running illegal prostitution businesses.

 
The couple admitted to offering sexual services at the Far West Sauna and Shangri La Spa and Sauna in Billings.  The McFarlands agreed to criminal forfeiture of nearly $1.2 million as prostitution proceeds in connection with the money laundering count, and civil forfeiture of nearly one half million dollars more.  Payments on the civil forfeiture will be credited toward the criminal judgment.