The Fresno PD’s Vice unit is cracking down on prostitution in the city.
Five search warrants were served Tuesday morning on a group of six massage parlors at the Southeast corner of First & Dakota.
Fresno Police Sergeant Curt Chastain says they were tipped off to the illicit activity.
“One was an actual letter that was written to a couple of news organizations and the Mayor’s office, in addition to that we got a couple of tips that all the parlors at this location were a front for prostitution and were unlawful.” – Sgt. Curt Chastain.
Three locations didn’t have lawful business licenses and were shutdown, the other three licenses were revoked. One human trafficking victim was discovered, and advocates with the Central Valley Freedom Coalition were there to help the person.
“What we plan to do is obtain charges for keeping an illicit house or a house of ill repute or a house of prostitution for each owner of these businesses.” – Sgt. Curt Chastain.
With the district attorney’s help, the Fresno Police department will also be going after the property owner, who’s gotten in trouble before. Sgt. Chastain says A1 Accupressure and Grey Fox were there before and shut down, and opened up under other names including Star Massage. If any more massage parlors open in the same location Sgt. Chastain says the entire property could be seized.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
