Ventura County prosecutors say eight people have pled guilty to charges they ran a half dozen brothels in Southern California disguised as legitimate businesses.
The Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force started an investigation in September of 2020, after seeing online ads offering sex.
It led them to businesses in Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Palm Springs, San Bernardino, Colton, and Monterey Park. Investigators say what appeared to be massage, or skin care businesses were actually offering sexual services.
Detectives say they found seven adult victims of sexual exploitation, including some brought into the country from Mexico. The eight people who pled guilty faced charges ranging from pimping to money laundering, and most of them have already been sentenced for their involvement.
