This bust took place in the wake of and under the auspices of FOSTA/SESTA.
The news story and the involvement of the FBI suggest it was focused on trafficking.
I look forward to the follow-up story that details how these people have been indicted for trafficking of persons. O wait. We will not hear this story because no indictments will come. We will hear only that these people were cited for prostitution, etc.
Related comments from various advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies will say that trafficking is very difficult to prove.
Imagine for a second that the people involved were not easily targeted because they are racial and cultural others. Yes, we arrested a bunch of white Louisianans on suspicion of [some crime], but there was no evidence even to indict them. Because evidence of [some crime] is difficult to prove."
Gross violation of civil rights six ways to Sunday. What is the difference between saying a crime is difficult to prove and saying that we arrested these people without good evidence of the commission of a crime?
So once again we are looking at mug shots of middle aged ladies who got pinched on prostitution related charges. Okay, fine. But why is that news? Why is the FBI involved? Where is the evidence of trafficking that warrants this kind of attention?
I just don't get it. It is like the only people talking publicly about this issue are the advocacy groups that want to see the entire industry as a form of trafficking, and they are pushing government to target people based on perceptions that are ultimately based on racial and cultural prejudices.
Anyone who has enjoyed Asian massage experiences because the price is right and they actually deal with men without making us feel like creepers (which is what happens when you go into a non-Asian day spa) KNOWS that sex acts are NOT the norm. The norm is back-walking, good massage, sensual massage from a woman in her 50s for 60 bucks for the hours. If you want more than that, you have to go find it.
It is sad that these people now have to wonder who is going to kick in their door. It just wouldn't happen if they weren't easy targets. At some point we have to tell our elected officials that.