# California cop accused of brothel extortion may walk free

> A Bay Area cop accused of extorting a brothel for sex could avoid prison under a mental health law.
- Title: California cop accused of brothel extortion may walk free
- Summary: A Bay Area cop accused of extorting a brothel for sex could avoid prison under a mental health law. Former Hayward police officer Benjamin Yarbrough may walk…
- Keywords: california, hayward, flame acu wellness, benjamin yarbrough, mental health diversion, brothel, extortion, san jose police department, news, entertainment, cop, accused
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/16/us-news/california-cop-accused-of-extorting-brothel-for-sex-may-walk-free-under-controversial-state-law
- Published: 2026-09-16T23:56:03+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: california, hayward, flame acu wellness, benjamin yarbrough, mental health diversion, brothel, extortion, san jose police department, news, entertainment
## Alleged brothel extortion
Former Hayward police officer Benjamin Yarbrough, 48, was charged with a felony in March for allegedly accepting $1,000 and free sexual services in exchange for protecting an illegal brothel.
## Mental health diversion program
Yarbrough is in a mental health diversion program where he could see his charges dismissed if he completes therapy.
## Brothel operation details
Two suspects were arrested in a 2025 San Jose police investigation where 74 arrests and 88 survivors were rescued.
## Brothel names
One brothel operated under the name Hestia ACU Wellness, while another was located in downtown Hayward under the name Flame ACU Wellness.
## Text messages and claims
Text messages showed Yarbrough saying, 'I don’t bust, I protect and keep safe,' and surveillance images showed him visiting brothels.

> I don’t bust, I protect and keep safe
## Yarbrough's defense
Yarbrough denies wrongdoing and claims he did not know the brothel operator, Yanqiong Xiong.
## Key takeaway

Former Hayward police officer Benjamin Yarbrough may walk free after completing a mental health diversion program for alleged brothel extortion.