WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office revealed on Friday, June 8 that retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Lieutenant David Smith was charged with obstructing justice for allegedly tipping off a massage parlor employee at the Pine Therapy Massage about upcoming law enforcement raids in exchange for sexual favors or gifts.

Smith, 59, was charged with one felony count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one misdemeanor count of obstruction of justice. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Rachel Greene of the Justice System Integrity Division.

The criminal complaint indicates that Smith indicated he would conduct lawful inspections at massage parlors in West Hollywood. Smith is accused of paying for sex at two of the locations between 2016 and 2017. According to reports, he allegedly received gifts from a massage parlor employee. In return, Smith is accused of checking if law enforcement planned on raiding the employee’s location. During one incident, Smith allegedly told the employee that authorities may be near the business and informed her to close for the evening, the complaint noted.

According to reports, Smith acknowledged letting the employee know about officers in the region in 2017 after being investigated by investigators from the Sheriff’s Department. He left the LASD in September 2018, after joining in 1985.

If convicted as charged, Smith could face up to 3 years in state prison or jail. The case is still under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.