Home Contra Costa County Pleasant Hill: Pole Fitness Owner Arrested On Human Trafficking Charges

Pleasant Hill: Pole Fitness Owner Arrested On Human Trafficking Charges

by ECT

On June 14, 2016, the Pleasant Hill Police Department received an anonymous tip of prostitution occurring at a residence on Mesa Verde Place. Detectives subsequently conducted an undercover operation at the residence.

Once inside the home detectives contacted and interviewed several women.

The investigation revealed the home was being advertised as an upscale private club with aspects of the operation being internet based. Detectives also learned that Dominic Salazar, age 54 of Pleasant Hill and the primary resident of the home, had recruited a number of female workers through the guise of a modeling business (Mad Girls Fitness).

While in the home and operating in an undercover capacity detectives were able to develop probable cause to arrest Salazar for various charges related to human trafficking.

On June 17, 2016, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Salazar with multiple crimes related to human trafficking. Those include PC 236.1(b), PC 266H(a), PC266I(a)(1), PC 266(a)(3).

The Pleasant Hill Police Department continually works to prevent the serious crime of human trafficking. In this case advocates from Community Violence Solutions were called to the scene to assist in providing assistance for the female employees who were contacted. Community Violence Solutions is a part of the Rape Crisis Center and specialize in offering services and resources to victims of human trafficking.

This investigation is ongoing. Anybody with information regarding this investigation is requested to call the Pleasant Hill Police Department’s Investigation Division at (925) 288-4630.

Prepared by: Lt. Scott Vermillion

 

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1 comment

RichieB Jun 20, 2016 - 11:00 pm

Simple – The United Nations defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by improper means (such as force, abduction, fraud, or coercion) for an improper purpose including forced labor or sexual exploitation

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