Four women were arrested Thursday for their involvement in several illegal massage parlors operating across Kitsap County, according to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.
Several search warrants were obtained for H2O Massage in Silverdale, Orchid Spa in Bremerton, Undo Stress in Bremerton, and A New You Spa in Poulsbo. KCSO stated that shortly after noon, investigators arrived at each of the locations to serve search warrants, rescue human trafficking victims, and make arrests of people who have violated the law.
At this point in the investigation, a 51-year-old female was arrested for prostitution and promoting prostitution in the second degree, a 54-year-old female was arrested for prostitution, a 57-year-old female was arrested for resisting arrest and promoting prostitution in the second degree, and a 61-year-old female was arrested for prostitution. Additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues, per KCSO.
“Over the past several months, detectives from the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNET) and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) have been working on a large-scale operation involving several illegal massage parlors,” the KCSO Facebook post stated.
“The establishments are spread throughout Kitsap County, and after several surveillance operations, a significant military/U.S. Navy nexus was identified. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) was immediately contacted for additional assistance. Due to the complexities of the cases, NCIS graciously agreed to work a joint investigation concerning the alleged illicit activities of the massage parlors.”
KCSO thanked the following agencies for their contributions:
- Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
- Poulsbo Police Department
- Department of Corrections (DOC)
- Washington State Patrol
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
- Bremerton Police Department
“Our hope is with this opportunity that these human trafficking victims are able to leave their trafficker and reconstruct their lives,” WestNET Commander KCSO Lieutenant Jon VanGesen said in the Facebook post. “This investigation is just one step in disrupting these transnational criminal organizations and removing them from Kitsap County.”
KCSO advises anyone with information related to this investigation, or other criminal activity related to drugs, human trafficking or gang activity to call WestNET at 360-337-7064. Callers have the option to remain anonymous.
