KTVB

Chris Teague, 39, of Boise, is charged with four felony counts of accepting the earnings of a prostitute.

BOISE -- Boise Police have arrested a local strip club owner and charged him with owning and operating a prostitution ring.

Police says 39-year-old Chris Teague was using an escort service as a front for prostitution.

He was arrested at his Boise home this afternoon and charged with four counts of accepting the earnings of a prostitute, a felony in Idaho.

The police investigation began with a lead about eight months ago. Officers believe the operation has been in business for the past two years under the name AAA Anytime Escort Services.

Teague is also the owner of two adult night clubs -- Erotic City at 5781 W. Overland Road; and Night Moves at 4348 W. State Street.

Officers believe Teague was using some of his dancers at the clubs to also work at his escort business, which was a front for prostitution. He is accused of taking a portion of the prostitutes fees. 

"This appeared to be a large, organized prostitution business with several employees," said Boise Police Sgt. Mike Harrington. "These types of cases can be extremely difficult to investigate. However in this case, the investigation focused on the business owner and using a legitimate business as a front for illegal activity. "

The Boise Police investigation involved officers from the Financial Crimes Unit, Neighborhood Contact Officers, and the BANDIT vice-narcotics unit.

"Neighborhood residents tell me they do not want this type of business in such close proximity to where they live work and play." said Boise Mayor Dave Bieter. "Our primary concern is that adult businesses not provide a fertile ground for criminal behavior.  This arrest and subsequent indictment is the result of good police work.  The City of Boise will continue working to provide a safe environment for all of our residents." 

Teague will be arraigned Thursday on the charges in Boise.