Sex Trafficking2011
United States US
An April 18, 2011 federal indictment says that Hitesh Vinod Patel, age 27, and his father, Vinod N. Patel, age 60, acting on behalf of Gayatri Investments LLC, helped and allowed members and associates of a criminal enterprise to rent rooms for prostitution at the Travelodge hotel on North Coast Highway in Oceanside. According to the indictment, the Patels arranged to have the participants housed in specific areas and rooms within the hotel so that they were segregated from legitimate customers. According to the indictment, the Patels charged --- and the defendants paid higher room rates --- in exchange for permitting the prostitution activities to be conducted at the Travelodge.The Patels are also accused of warning members and associates of the enterprise about law enforcement activity or inquiries. The operation was run by the Oceanside Crips gang, which included three different gang "sets," authorities said. The sets -- the Insane Crip Gang; Deep Valley Crips; and Crook, Mob, Gangsters -- who have been rivals in the past, worked together to run the prostitution operation, according to U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy. Six others, all women, were charged as associates of the criminal enterprise. The indictment targets not only pimps, but also women known as "bottoms," who federal prosecutors said are the most senior and trusted prostitutes, who help recruit and rein in the junior girls. U.S. Atttorney Laura E. Duffy said prostitutes caught up in the operation were often "traded like property" and beaten by their pimps if they did not do as they were told. Michael Carney, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, said the victims and the gang members were primarily U.S. citizens. An indictment is not evidence the defendants are guilty of the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed by the law to be innocent of the charges until the Government proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Sex Trafficking1996
United States US
Julio, Tomas and Luciano Salazar. From Mexico. Ran the largest prostitution ring in the county using underage girls smuggled from Mexico. They were forced to service migrant workers in agriculture camps, among other things. Stopwatches were uses to time their "Clients". Girls with children had their children taken and used as hostages. They were told their child would be killed if they tried to escape.
Sex Trafficking2009
United States US
"VISTA -- Authorities shut down nine businesses and arrested 22 women during an undercover prostitution sting Wednesday afternoon in Vista, officials said. The operation targeted Asian day spas and acupuncturists suspected of plying the illegal trade. Some of the businesses appeared to have living and eating quarters for the women, according to authorities. The bust followed prostitution complaints by the public and several months of investigation by the Sheriff's Department and Vista officials. View the slideshow of Sheriff's Department photos "The city is determined to stop this," said Vista City Attorney Darold Pieper, adding that a spike in massage therapist permit applications helped spur the investigation. "We don't want this here," added Vista sheriff's Capt. Tim Curran, calling investigator's efforts "aggressive." Many of the 22 women arrested are Chinese citizens and some are in the country illegally, the captain said. The women face misdemeanor charges for prostitution, illegal touching and various city health and safety violations stemming from the presence of living and eating quarters inside the businesses. The following businesses were shut down: Touch of Asian Day Spa, Seren Acu-Care, Melrose Spa, Vista Town Spa, Bright Acupuncture, JW Acupuncture, Li Jun Acupuncture I, Li Jun Acupuncture II and Vista Health Center, sheriff's officials said. In photos of the sting released by authorities, several women are shown with their hands restrained and heads down. One photo shows clothing strewn on a bed, a large plastic tub filled with blankets and what appears to be a family photograph framed and sitting at the front of the bed. Authorities had not determined Wednesday whether some of the women owned or operated the establishments. Owners and operators could face charges of felony conspiracy to promote prostitution, officials said. County prosecutors will determine whether to pursue additional charges. Call staff writer Chris Nichols at 760-740-5426." Article from the North County Times