NORTH COAST, Calif. – The week, Sonoma County authorities, with the assistance of state and federal law enforcement agencies, cited a Rohnert Park masseuse for solicitation of prostitution and posted two massage businesses as dangerous buildings during the course of an undercover operation.
Tonga Ball, 61, was cited and released for solicitation of prostitution on Thursday evening, according to Sgt. Juan Valencia of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
Valencia said that Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit detectives conducted an undercover operation, specifically targeting possible human trafficking, in the massage parlor business.
He said detectives collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Department of Homeland Security, and Sonoma County Code Enforcement for this multi-agency joint operation.
An undercover detective entered the Green Rose Therapy business, in Penngrove to receive a massage, Valencia said.
Valencia said Ball escorted the undercover detective into a room and began to give the detective a massage. Shortly thereafter, Ball solicited the detective to perform a lewd act for money.
Detectives entered the business and detained Ball. Valencia said there were no other employees or clients inside the business at the time.
A detective and a FBI agent conducted an interview with Ball regarding possible human trafficking, Valencia said.
Ball said she was there on her own free will and the business was not involved in any human trafficking operation. Ultimately, Ball was cited and released for solicitation for prostitution, Valencia said.
A Sonoma County Code Enforcement Agent entered the business and found multiple violations, including being a public nuisance, change of occupancy, commercial tenant improvements without permits and unpermitted substandard construction. Valencia said the business was posted as being a dangerous building and the specific tenant spaces cannot be occupied until the violations have been corrected.
Upon completion of the investigation at Green Rose Therapy, Valencia said detectives and Sonoma County Code Enforcement agents went to Penngrove Relax Center to conduct an inspection of the business. Multiple violations were present at this location and the business was posted as being a dangerous building.
“The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Department of Homeland Security and Sonoma County Code Enforcement for their assistance with this investigation,” Valencia said.
Rohnert Park masseuse cited for solicitation of prostitution; two massage businesses posted as dangerous buildings
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