Prostitution ring busted up in Morgan County

Morgan County authorities say they have broken up a prostitution ring.

The woman and her daughter allegedly in charge were arrested Monday afternoon. Authorities arrested Teresa Ann Higdon at Illusions Spa in Laceys Spring. She and Patricia Higdon are each charged with promoting prostitution in the 2nd degree.

A sting that began Friday resulted in several prostitution arrests.

Investigators used a website, Bama Friends, to set up the undercover operation. Sheriff Ana Franklin said Illusions Spa uses the site to recruit clients and set up meetings with prostitutes.

The Department of Revenue is involved in the case, which Franklin said will help put the operation out of business for good.

"Law enforcement is a threat to businesses, but when you get the IRS and the Dept of Revenue, the sales tax folks and the employment tax folks on you, that's the way you shut the business down. That's what we're doing is coordinating this effort with those agencies so we can attack this from all angles," said Sheriff Ana Franklin.

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