VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KNX) — An investigation into sex and labor trafficking at massage parlors and skin care businesses in Ventura County led to the arrests of family members who operated those businesses.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office revealed that on Aug. 19, search warrants were served at multiple businesses and residence that were mainly located in Oxnard, with the exception of one that was located in Port Hueneme. The businesses Magic Therapy, Mission Spa, Souly Foot Massage, Sunshine Therapy, Burrito Express, 4200 block of Dallas Drive, 4300 block of Dallas Drive and 600 block of Lazaro Lane.
The five people arrested were Ira Malarowitz, Erika Malarowitz, Alma Monarrez-Diaz, Melesio Monarrez-Diaz and Justin Malarowitz.
Investigators said the suspects targeted “underprivileged” Mexican women living in Southern California to work at these businesses and that the suspects used “third parties” to recruit these women.
“Once these women were recruited, sex advertisements were placed on various internet sites depicting them,” the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
“These sex advertisements would describe pricing, the type of sexual encounters available, and which illicit business the women were working. These advertisements were updated daily, and the females were rotated throughout the businesses owned by the suspects.”
During the search warrant, investigators found females that were being trafficked, as well as “large sums of cash” and suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.
Two ghost guns were also recovered.
The United States Attorney's Office will handle the criminal proceedings.
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