San Diego Massage Parlor Investigation: Four Arrests Made
Published: Feb. 4, 2024, 6:20 p.m. ET
By Steve Janoski
Lurid sex noises echoing out of a San Diego massage parlor and into a nearby church reportedly spurred a police investigation that led to four arrests and a bust of the alleged brothel. Cops said last week they fielded numerous complaints from businesses and residents perched near the Ocean Spa Massage Parlor — which ranged from reports about the aforementioned noises to locals seeing people have sex in cars.
Extensive Police Investigation
The San Diego Police Department’s vice unit began an “extensive and thorough investigation,” which involved more than 125 hours of work. During that time, they documented at least four instances where employees offered sex to undercover police officers. The investigation also uncovered nearly 1,300 online ads for sex at the parlor that were posted in the last five years.
Legal Action and Penalties
As a result of the investigation, four individuals were arrested for prostitution, and the city attorney is taking legal action to shut down the illicit establishment, Ocean Spa. In addition to criminal charges, the city attorney is imposing more than $100,000 in civil penalties and reimbursement for legal costs.
Community Response and Prostitution in San Diego
San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit stated that the department takes neighborhood complaints of this nature very seriously and that the thorough investigation brings peace and civility back to San Diego neighborhoods. Parts of Southern California have long struggled with issues of prostitution, and a controversial 2022 law that repealed a ban on loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution has only aggravated the problem further. While some argue that the law is needed to protect vulnerable individuals, others claim that it has emboldened prostitutes and their pimps, leading to a surge in sex trafficking and illegal activities.
Future Considerations
Despite the intended purpose of the law to promote safety and equality, feedback and monitoring are necessary to address possible unintended consequences. Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledged this concern and vowed to monitor crime and prosecution trends to mitigate any negative impacts. Business owners, however, have raised concerns that the law has made it easier for illicit activities to infiltrate various establishments, exacerbating the issue of prostitution and sex trafficking in San Diego and its surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://www.foxnews.com/us/church-services-disturbed-rampant-san-diego-prostitution-hits-fever-pitch
