Prostitution isn’t just happening on the streets of Southern California; it’s also concealed within the walls of spas and massage parlors. During a recent undercover operation, police spotlighted the troubling intersection of illicit activities and potential human trafficking victims in these establishments.
Insight from the LAPD
As LAPD Sgt. Juan Terrazas conducts searches at various spas, he emphasizes the careful approach taken by officers. When undercover detectives are offered sexual services for money, they meticulously inspect each room in the establishments. “In there, they go room-by-room,” Terrazas explained while entering a Torrance spa.
The consequences of such operations are telling. One undercover officer recalled a striking encounter: “We found multiple condoms inside. Some of the girls were dressed in stilettos, which is unusual for massage therapists. One woman was even wearing a club-style skirt and tried to lock herself in a room.”
In this particular spa, a woman was cited for soliciting prostitution after agreeing to a sexual service for $160. According to Terrazas, this exchange constitutes a legal violation.
Indicators of Human Trafficking
Subsequent to this raid, officers moved to another parlor just east of Harbor City. Following another reported transaction, detectives confronted the women working inside and sought evidence of illicit activities. They encountered two women from China, whom they suspected may not be engaged there by choice. “Both of them exhibited classic symptoms of being either labor trafficked or human trafficked. You can see it in their eyes; they are victims,” one undercover officer shared.
Detectives frequently find human trafficking victims in these scenarios. “Often, these individuals are from abroad, enticed by the promise of opportunity in America. Upon arrival, they find themselves in debt, compelled to work off their loans in these exploitative jobs,” Terrazas continued.
At the second parlor, officers again cited a woman for prostitution solicitation and issued citations to the business for failing to have a manager on duty and for evidence of unauthorized recordings in massage rooms.
Their next stop was a nearby establishment, where an undercover officer reported being offered $40 for a sexual act and $60 for another. Throughout these operations, Terrazas insists that their mission extends beyond enforcement; they aim to provide support to the women involved. “Our focus is to rescue some of these girls. Many of them are in desperate need of saving,” he stated.
Despite multiple attempts by ABC7 On Your Side Investigates to engage with the sampled parlors, none responded to requests for comments. Meanwhile, the two women suspected of being trafficking victims have ceased communication with authorities, further underscoring the complex nature of these situations.
