Pair Admit Running Prostitution Ring

Two former Federal Way residents have pleaded guilty to operating a prostitution ring from massage parlors and escort services.

Michael L. Landry, 34, pleaded guilty yesterday in King County Superior Court to six counts of second-degree promoting prostitution. He faces roughly four years in prison. Landry has prior convictions for rape and prostitution.

Rochelle King, 32, pleaded guilty to five counts of the same charge and faces less than two years in prison.

Deputy Prosecutor Paul Casey accused the pair of using a leased yacht on Elliott Bay to recruit girls as young as 14 to work as prostitutes.

Landry and King ran the scheme through the Golden Touch Massage parlors in Kent and Federal Way and through Eve's Garden and Midas Touch escort services operated out of Bellevue.

King County Police Detective John Holland and other officers had investigated the operation since May 1992. They estimated the couple spent at least $188,000 over nine months.