BEND, Ore. KTVZ β Bend police, assisted by the FBI, have raided three Bend massage businesses, part of a 2-year investigation of community complaints that sex acts were taking place at the businesses, officers said Wednesday. No suspects were found and no arrests made. Juli McConkey said. Then, on Tuesday afternoon, police served another search warrant at a home in the block of Southeast Taft Avenue, she said.
The raids resulted from an investigation that began in late , focused on community complaints regarding sexual acts taking place at local massage parlors, McConkey said. The FBI and Bend police were assisted by linguists to assist with communication, and resources were offered to the businesses' workers, who police termed victims in the case.
NewsChannel 21 spoke with In Our Backyard Executive Director Nita Belles, whose group has fought sex trafficking around the country for several years, to learn more about the issues of human trafficking in Central Oregon. Belles called the raids a step in the right direction to combat sex trafficking in Central Oregon. But she said she believes it's more pervasive than just 3 locations in Bend. Belles said it happens in every city across the country, but there are ways to help.
As of now, the suspects in the investigation were not located. Barney is the digital content director for NewsChannel Learn more about Barney here. Jack Hirsh is a multimedia journalist for NewsChannel Learn more about Jack here. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. Crime And Courts. By Barney Lerten , Jack Hirsh. October 8, am. Published October 7, pm.
Adding video, comments by Bend woman who fights human trafficking 'This happens in every city across the country'. Barney Lerten Barney is the digital content director for NewsChannel You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. Open toolbar Accessibility Tools.
