Goleta is a city of about 33,000 residents, located in southern Santa Barbara County, California. Prostitution is a well-documented problem in the city, particularly indoors in storefronts (such as massage parlors) that serve as brothels.  In one brothel investigation in 2013, an assault rifle was found in a massage parlor in which women were selling sex.

Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has therefore been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office (SBCSO) has conducted web-based reverse stings in the community. Men arrested for attempting to buy sex have had their names, photos, and other identifying information reported in the news and on the SBCSO website. For example, in September 2018, the SBCSO made 17 arrests during a two-day prostitution sting in Goleta. Investigators placed an ad on several websites known for online prostitution-related advertisements.  The ad announced the availability of a woman willing to exchange sex for money. An undercover detective negotiated with those who responded to the ad and provided them with the location of a hotel meeting place. Those who arrived at the location were arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution.