Prostitution ring’s victims branded with bar codes
Posted by staff / January 9, 2014 Attorney Laura Duffybar codesFederal prosecutorsSan Diego street gang
A San Diego street gang operated a vast prostitution ring that spanned 46 cities in 23 states, promising luxury lifestyles to girls and women. Federal prosecutors said that instead they were branded with tattoos and bar codes and treated like slaves.
“The kind of sex trafficking described in this indictment is nothing less than modern-day slavery,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy on Wednesday as she announced the indictment on racketeering conspiracy charges of 24 people, all San Diego residents ages 22 to 36. “Unfortunately, more gangs are expanding from traditional pursuits like drug dealing into this lucrative business.”
Many of those arrested were in California, Arizona and New Jersey. The case is widespread: 46 cities in 23 states are involved. Police and the FBI conducted the raids.
Authorities also seized luxury cars, dozens of Air Jordan shoes and pimp paraphernalia like diamond-studded canes, hats and chalices, much of which prosecutors said they would seek to have forfeited.
Full story: The National Post.
Photo credit: Gstudio Group – Fotolia.com
[…] A San Diego street gang operated a vast prostitution ring that spanned 46 cities in 23 states, promising luxury lifestyles to girls and women. Federal prosecutors said that instead they were branded with tattoos and bar codes and treated like slaves. […]