Mother of three denies prostitution charge

Princeton Township resident was running a massage business out of her Griggs Farm home

By: Rachel Silverman
   Meryl James, 50, a single mother of three, was arrested Tuesday and charged with running a house of prostitution from her Griggs Drive home in Princeton Township.
   Ms. James, who also was charged with prostitution herself, had been running a massage therapy business from her home, which she advertised in a local paper and on the Internet, police said.
   "I’m sure there were some legitimate massages there," Capt. Mark Emann said. "I’m sure there was more legitimate stuff going on there than illegal stuff."
   In an interview Thursday, Ms. James, who lives in the home with her 16-year-old daughter, denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
   "I was totally set up," she said between tears. "I’m innocent, and this is a bunch of crap."
   According to Ms. James’ Web site, www.netspree.com/meryl, Ms. James is a natural health-care practitioner and certified massage therapist. The Web site also says she is a legally ordained minister through the Universal Brotherhood Movement, and a graduate of the Sarasota School of Natural Healing Arts in Florida.
   "I’m a very sacred, spiritual person," she said. "I respect people’s boundaries."
   The Web site says Ms. James charges $75 per hour for a regular massage and $100 an hour for a special Esalen massage, which is done in the nude. A self-proclaimed nudist, Ms. James said she sees about five to six clients per week.
   "I do have a professional business," she said. "I’ve been doing message for 29 years."
   In addition to massages, Ms. James’ business sells vitamins, herbs, enzymes and a liquid oxygen formula called Vitamin O. She is versed in polarity therapy, holistic nutrition, hydrotherapy, shiatsu and cleansing techniques, according to the Web site. She also hosts parties, classes and trips to Mexico, and has released a CD of "erotic love poems and songs for the Goddess."
   Ms. James said her daughter has not been involved in her professional life.
   "She’s never home when I work," Ms. James said.
   Capt. Mark Emann said authorities were alerted to Ms. James’ business several months ago by a neighbor, who noticed many people going in and out of the apartment. Police then conducted a surveillance operation outside the Griggs Drive address.
   Police secured a warrant for Ms. James’ arrest after an undercover detective entered the apartment and was offered sexual favors, Capt. Emann said, adding that the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office also was involved in the investigation.
   Ms. James offered a different version of the story.
   "This guy tried to elicit sexual favors from me," she said. "I never did any." Instead, Ms. James said, police ransacked her house, taking journals, condoms and a vibrator.
   Ms. James will be arraigned in Princeton Township court Nov. 1. She has been released on her own recognizance, police said.