Seven massage parlors, seven arrests and a lot more than massages allegedly being offered behind closed doors. But months later…why don’t we have more details about the sting? The public is still unaware of who exactly was arrested, whether charges were filed, and what happened to the businesses.
https://twitter.com/knxnews/status/2090227586802528657?a=CqstK4zMFiT8MlCBKqU&s=20
Back in August, an undercover prostitution sting in Covina exposed alleged sex-for-cash operations hiding inside legitimate massage businesses. The investigation began with an anonymous tip about potentially suspicious activity. By the time officers finished their weeklong operation, every business they targeted had allegedly offered sexual services for money.
What followed was a weeklong operation in August targeting seven massage businesses, with police allegations that every single location was offering sexual services for money.
Officers teamed up with city code enforcement officials to investigate the establishments, and it wasn’t simply a matter of checking business licenses.
Covina police Lt. Ray Marquez told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that undercover officers walked in as patrons, wanting services from the massage parlors…just your “Average Joe.” But when an employee allegedly agreed or offered to perform sexual acts for money, officers moved in and made an arrest.
By the end of the operation, seven people had been arrested (one at each location). Police also released footage showing officers searching private massage rooms, inspecting businesses and escorting several women outside one establishment. Investigators said the businesses relied on word-of-mouth referrals rather than openly advertising the alleged illegal services.
And while police reported violations at every location they inspected, several questions remain unanswered. Police did not publicly identify the businesses, disclose the evidence collected at each location or explain whether the owners themselves would face criminal charges.
“Throughout the week, the Covina Police Department, in partnership with Covina Code Enforcement, conducted enforcement operations at massage establishments throughout the city. During these operations, all seven businesses inspected were found to be in violation of illegal sexual activity. Several arrests were made and citations were issued as a result. These cases remain under investigation as our department continues working to address illegal activity and ensure businesses operating within our city are in compliance with the law. The Covina Police Department and our city partners remain committed to maintaining a safe community for our residents, businesses, and visitors,” the department wrote on Instagram.
City code enforcement officials were expected to examine the businesses’ permits and determine whether further action was warranted. The cases were still under investigation when police announced the arrests in August.
For now, the operation leaves an obvious question: Were the seven arrests the end of the investigation, or just the beginning of a larger look at who was operating the businesses?
Los Angeles Magazine has reached out to the Covina Police Department for comment and an update on the investigation, including the status of the arrests, any criminal charges filed and whether the businesses involved have faced additional enforcement action.
The post Seven L.A. County Massage Parlors Busted in Sex Sting, but What Happened After the Arrests? appeared first on LAmag.
