HomeMy WebLinkAboutAtascadero Police Department News Release - Massage Parlor Investigation (2)News from the:
Atascadero City Police Department
5505 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805) 461-5051
Immediate Release: April 11, 2019
Contact: Lieutenant Jason Carr Atascadero Police Department, 470-3228
MASSAGE PARLOR INVESTIGATION
Over the past several months, the Atascadero Police Department, in partnership with the San
Luis Obispo Police Department and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Human
Trafficking Task Force, conducted code enforcement compliance checks and undercover
operations at numerous massage parlors located in the City of Atascadero. This investigation and
subsequent operations were in response to complaints of unlawful business practices, including
suspected prostitution and possible human trafficking. As a result of the operation, three
businesses in Atascadero were potentially identified as offering sexual acts for money.
On April 10, 2019, the Atascadero Police Department and the San Luis Obispo County District
Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations served search warrants at three businesses located in
the 7000-8000 blocks of El Camino Real. Although this investigation is still ongoing, the
Atascadero Police Department is currently filing charges of prostitution with the District
Attorney’s Office against one person. In addition, the search warrants resulted in the arrest of
one individual for an outstanding warrant; two locations were cited for Labor and Insurance
Code violations; and one business was Yellow-Tagged (limited use, for repairs only) by city
officials, for being unsafe due to building code violations.
Due to the nature of the investigation and the alleged acts of prostitution, it was believed that
human trafficking could be involved. Considering this, the Atascadero Police Department
requested the assistance of an Advocate from the San Luis Obispo County Victim/Witness
Office during the operation to provide services such as counseling and emergency housing to any
identified victims of human trafficking. The current investigation revealed indicators of human
trafficking, which could not yet be confirmed. The investigation is ongoing.