A Bay Area cop accused of extorting a local brothel for free sex could dodge prison time under a controversial mental health law.

Former Hayward police officer Benjamin Yarbrough, 48, was charged with a felony in March for allegedly accepting a $1,000 bribe and free sexual services in exchange for protecting an illegal brothel.

“The complaint alleges that Office Yarbrough unlawfully and knowingly accepted $1,000 and free access to sex workers. These allegations arose during a broader San Jose Police Department investigation into prostitution,” the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office said in a release.  

Yarbrough was then placed in a mental health diversion program, but he could see his charges completely dismissed if he ends up completing his therapy.

California’s Pretrial Mental Health Diversion law allows state judges to pause criminal court proceedings so that a defendant can receive a full mental health treatment instead of going to jail. To qualify, defendants must first be diagnosed with a mental health disorder.

This all comes from allegations that stemmed from a 2025 San Jose police investigation where two suspects for human trafficking were arrested.

A 40-year-old woman named Yanqiong Xiong and a man named Guijun Zhao, 45, were charged by prosecutors for running brothels. The operation saw 74 arrests and 88 survivors being rescued.

One of the local brothels was operating under the name Hestia ACU Wellness, while another was located in downtown Hayward under the name Flame ACU Wellness.

Text messages between the former police officer and Xiong were discovered according to FOX 2.

“I don’t bust, I protect and keep safe,” one message said. Surveillance images also apparently showed Yarbrough paying a visit to the brothels.

The 48-year-old has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that he did not know Xiong.