Ocean Spa in San Diego.Photo:Google Maps
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• San Diego City Attorney Mara W. Elliot said she’s concerned with human trafficking at the establishments
On several occasions during the investigation, undercover investigators trying to buy a massage were allegedly offered sexual activities for an additional fee, per the complaint. After receiving a notice of violation in 2019, that business was shut down.
Later the same year, a relative of the previous owners started Ocean Spa, which was billed as a “skin care aromatherapy” business, the complaint alleges. In 2021, one of the previous ownersstartedHealth Station in the adjacent unit.
According to the complaint, both businesses were allegedly involved in prostitution.
According to the complaint, a bible study group opened next to the businesses in 2022 and had some students who were minors. The complaint alleges that employees of the businesses allegedly invited the male students to “come over.”
The students also allegedly witnessed two people having sex in a truck in front of the bible study in broad daylight, per the complaint. On another similar occasion, a “rocking vehicle” with the same pair inside was allegedly parked two spots away from a bible study student sitting in her car, the complaint alleges.
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In her press statement, Elliott said there are also concerns of human trafficking on the premises.
“We’re not convinced that these women voluntarily sold sex,” she said, per the statement. “We’re very concerned about the well-being of these employees.”
PEOPLE was not immediately able to reach the businesses for comment on Tuesday.
source: people.com
