Prostitution ring includes local woman

After a six-month-long investigation, the Ventura County Sheriff ’s Department announced last week the arrests of Agoura Hills resident Bonnie Weiss, 49, and Thousand Oaks resident Craig Fawcett, 74, for pimping, pandering and conspiracy to solicit prostitution.

The two were arrested without incident, said Dana Trottier, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department.

Weiss and Fawcett used their homes and a yacht in Marina del Rey as meeting places for clients and prostitutes, police said. The Internet was used to find potential clients and employees.

The investigation began in Ventura County, Trottier said, but the prostitution ring spanned Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties and involved cooperation with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Weiss and Fawcett pleaded not guiltyat their arraignment last Tues., Jan. 17. If convicted, Weiss could face a maximum prison sentence of six years and eight months, while Fawcett faces a maximum sentence of eight years.

Fawcett was released from Ventura County Jail earlier this week after he posted $50,000 bail. Weiss remains in custody.

—Daniel Wolowicz