Soquel, CA
Categories:
Tactics Used |
|
|---|---|
| Auto Seizure | ✓ |
| Buyer Arrests | ✓ |
| Cameras | ✓ |
| Community Service | ✓ |
| Employment Loss | ✓ |
| Identity Disclosure | ✓ |
| IT Based Tactics | ✓ |
| John School | ✓ |
| Letters | ✓ |
| License Suspension | ✓ |
| Neighborhood Action | ✓ |
| Public Education | ✓ |
| Reverse Stings | ✓ |
| SOAP Orders | ✓ |
| Web Stings | ✓ |
Soquel is a census-designated place of less than 11,000 residents, located just east of Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, California. While reports of prostitution in the community remain limited, local law enforcement have taken proactive steps to reduce demand on at least one occasion.
In early 1996, deputies with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department reported the arrests of 15 sex buyers at a Soquel massage parlor. The men were apprehended during an investigation into suspected prostitution activity at the business. Although the logistical details of the operation — including the identities of those arrested — were not publicized in press, the San Jose Mercury-News reported that the offenders included “high-tech employees from Silicon Valley, businessmen, a cop, a firefighter, a nurse and retirees.” Notably, none of the parlor’s employees were arrested during the sting; the business owners were arrested and charged with promoting prostitution. One ultimately received “three years probation [and a fine of] $2,000, and [was required to] perform a few days of public service.”
Key Partners
- Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department
Key Sources
Reverse Sting:
- “Cops Cite 15 Alleged Brothel Clients; Soquel Sting: Sheriff’s Investigators Say the Swedish Massage Parlor Was a High-Class House of Prostitution. None of the Female Employees Has Been Charged,” San Jose Mercury-News, January 17 1996.
- “Tales of the Vice Squad: Is This Really Necessary?,” San Jose Mercury-News, February 3 1996.
- “No Charges Yet against Owners of Massage Parlor; Soquel Business Raided in January Suspected of Offering Prostitution,” San Jose Mercury-News, July 11 1996.
- “A Look Back: Jan. 16, 1996, 15 Cited in Sting at Suspected Brothel,” San Jose Mercury-News, January 16 2010.
Background on Prostitution in the Area:
- “Activist Accused of Pandering Prostitution; Raid at Soquel Massage Parlor,” San Jose Mercury-News, January 13 1996.
- “Charges Not Filed in Raid in Soquel Prostitution Sting at Massage Parlor,” San Jose Mercury-News, March 8 1996.
- “Santa Cruz Activist, Woman Are Charged with Promoting Prostitution at Parlor,” San Jose Mercury-News, August 2 1996.
- “Massage Landlord Gets Fine, Probation; Conservative Activist Changes Position on Review of Sheriff,” San Jose Mercury-News, September 9 1996.
| State | California |
| Type | City |
| Population | 10721 |
| Location |
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