Billings spa operator admits transporting person for sexual activity

BILILNGS – A Billings spa operator today admitted to bringing a woman from Nevada to Billings to provide commercial sexual activity at the business, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Scot Donald Petrie, 61, of Billings, pleaded guilty to transportation of a person with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and aiding and abetting. Petrie faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided and recommended Petrie’s plea be accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, who will sentence Petrie. Sentencing was set for Oct. 31. Petrie was released pending sentencing.

Prosecutors said in court records that beginning in June 2014, Petrie helped operate King Spa and A-Spa, which permitted individuals to live at both locations to provide legitimate message services and illegal commercial sexual services. Petrie was aware of the operations and services being provided.  King Spa temporarily closed in December 2018, and Petrie helped re-open the spa to provide the services.

In January, Petrie used his debit card to buy a bus ticket for a woman to travel from Las Vegas to Billings to live and work at A-Spa. Because of a missed connection, Petrie went to Butte to pick up the woman to transport her back to Billings. The woman told law enforcement Petrie had contacted her while she was in Nevada and asked her to come to Montana. The woman said Petrie offered to pay for her bus ticket and provided her with condoms when she arrived in Billings. The woman performed commercial sexual activity, including intercourse, while staying at the spa in Billings.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno Baucus and Bryan Dake are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

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