Police serve warrant at Phoenix 'temple'

PHOENIX - Police have detained more than a dozen people after serving a search warrant at a Phoenix church Wednesday.

According to Phoenix police Sgt. Steve Martos, five men and 11 women have been detained and are being questioned. No one else was inside the building besides the 16 adults.

Martos said the search warrant was served at the Goddess Temple, located near 24th Street and Thomas Road around 4 p.m.

He said the warrant was served as part of an ongoing investigation, but did not elaborate.

In 2009, Scottsdale police investigated the temple after neighbors suspected it to be a brothel, but nothing ever came of the allegations. The temple then relocated to its current address in Phoenix.

According to the Phoenix Goddess Temple website , they "seek to help women, men and couples discover their own divine connection between soul, light body and sacred vessel." The center apparently offers courses in sexual education.

The website goes on to state that, "we cannot say for sure that you will have sex with anyone here in the temple, although you will have a sensual adventure."

The sessions can cost $366 for an hour of "touch time" with two heelers, according to the website.

Phoenix police also said that the Sedona Goddess Temple was searched by local authorities at about the same time.