Couple Pleads Not Guilty to Pimping Teens

A California couple has pleaded not guilty to using a South San Francisco motel as a brothel to pimp the services of three teenage girls.

Prosecutors say 40-year-old Mahender Singh and his 22-year-old wife Helen Singh are charged with 12 felonies, including human trafficking.

The San Jose Mercury News says the Sacramento couple entered not guilty pleas Wednesday in a Redwood City courtroom. They are being held without bail until an Oct. 5 hearing.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe says Mahender Singh initially told police the three girls were his daughters. The girls told investigations that Singh forced them into prostitution.

A police officer found two 16-year-old girls and a 19-year-old girl after responding to a possible runaway call at the Travelodge.

The girls' rooms were registered to Mahender Singh and the officer found the condoms and money.