Guilty: Massage parlor owner admits to prostitution crimes, gets probation sentence - St....

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Brett Allan Labrum(Photo: Washington County Sheriff's Office)


Washington City resident Brett Allan Labrum pleaded guilty Monday to seven counts of sex crimes related to his massage parlor businesses, including prostitute exploitation, sexual solicitation and operating without proper licenses.

In addition to pleading guilty, Labrum was also sentenced at a morning hearing that lasted a little over six minutes. Fifth District Court Judge Eric Ludlow said Labrum would serve the maximum statutory sentence for the crimes, but the court will stay the execution of the sentence, instead placing Labrum on bench probation for 36 months.

More: Massage parlor owner charged with sex crimes

Labrum will also be required to spend 90 days in the Washington County Jail, pay a $2,500 fine, and also complete a "life skills" course. Ludlow said the court will grant Labrum a 24-hour period in which he can leave jail to attend the birth of his grandchild, per his request.

Court documents indicate Labrum was arrested and booked into jail Feb. 8. He was released a day later in lieu of a $25,285 bond, which Ludlow also exonerated at the Monday hearing.

Labrum's two parlor locations in St. George and Washington City, dubbed Dixie Massage, were at the center of a sting investigation which also resulted in recent arrests at four additional local massage parlors.

More: Massage arrests spark concerns about human trafficking

The investigation began in June 2016 after St. George Police Department detectives were tipped off to potential sex crimes taking place at various massage parlors that had one thing in common: Asian employees.

The sting and subsequent arrests sparked concerns of international human trafficking in the area, and SGPD announced in a statement when the investigation began that more action may be taken. So far, federal prosecutors have not pursued additional charges.

According to the probable cause filed in Labrum's case, through surveillance on Labrum's two massage parlor establishments, detectives discovered a vehicle — later found to be registered to Labrum — that would frequent the two businesses multiple times per day. During this time, detectives also discovered Labrum was renting the property.

More: 4 unlicensed massage defendants plead guilty

Search warrants of the properties were executed on Jan. 10, according to the document, and Labrum was brought into questioning. He was located at Main Street Insurance, which is another business he partly owned.

At the time, Labrum denied any knowledge of sex acts occurring at either Dixie Massage location, according to the probable cause.

The officer also detailed in the report that Labrum was concerned about how the nature of what he was being questioned for would affect his family, businesses, position in his church, and role with the St. George Exchange Club. The Exchange Club is a nonprofit organization that assists underprivileged residents with scholarships and other financial assistance in addition to working to prevent child abuse.

In a statement issued after charges were filed against Labrum, the Exchange Club said its members were "shocked" by the charges because "the allegations brought against (Labrum) stand in stark contrast to the man we have all come to know and love."

Labrum's guilty pleas come in light of a plea agreement in which the state agreed to drop nine other charges from February against him, including a forcible sex abuse charge, six lewdness charges and two additional counts of sexual solicitation.

Deputy County Attorney Zachary Weiland also said the state has agreed to not file any additional charges.

More: 7 women arrested in massage-prostitution sting

The charges that were dismissed were largely attributed to statements detectives gathered from two women who were working for Dixie Massage, according to the probable cause. Court documents indicate three Dixie Massage employees were charged with sexual solicitation and/or offering massages without a proper license.

Labrum declined to make a statement at the Monday hearing, and Weiland also did not elaborate on the state's charges or agreement in which Labrum entered.

Follow reporter Emily Havens on Twitter, @EmilyJHavens, and find her on Facebook at facebook.com/emilyjhavens. Call her at 435-674-6214.

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