Prosecutors in Southern California said Monday two female massage parlor owners were arrested and charged with pimping out their employees.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced charges against Shuzhi Fan, 47, of Thousand Oaks, and Qiuju Jia, 43, of Temple City, who were charged with two felonies — pimping, and pandering by procuring prostitution.

Both suspects, who were arrested separately last week, pleaded not guilty at their arraignments.

Prosecutors said the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force was tipped off in May about an alleged commercial sex operation being run out of Ms. Fan’s business, Xinyi Massage located in Thousand Oaks.

Authorities said further investigation revealed another business owned by Ms. Fan, VIP Massage in Arcadia, and Ms. Jia’s business, H Massage in Calabasas, were also profiting from the prostitution ring.

Prosecutors believe both of the women were working together.

Ms. Fan and Ms. Jia are being held at the Ventura County jail on a $20,000 bail. Their next court dates are scheduled for Sept. 18.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.