Eleven arrested in sex trafficking raids on 7 massage parlours in Dalton, Georgia

Authorities raided seven massage parlours in Dalton and Whitfield County, arresting at least 11 people including customers. The multi-agency operation followed months of complaints.

Multi-agency operation targets prostitution and sex trafficking in Dalton area

At least 11 people have been arrested after law enforcement simultaneously raided seven massage parlours across Dalton and Whitfield County, Georgia, on Tuesday morning, newschannel9.com reports. The operation, months in the making, targeted suspected prostitution and sex trafficking activity at the businesses.

Search warrants were executed at approximately 11 a.m. by a joint force comprising the Dalton Police Department, Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Dalton Police are leading investigations at three of the locations, while the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office is heading proceedings at the remaining four.

Among those arrested were both employees and customers — the latter referred to by authorities as "Johns." Police spokesman Bruce Frazier confirmed the dual categories of arrests but said officials were not yet ready to release names or a breakdown of figures. Authorities indicated the total arrest count could still rise as investigators continued searching locations, conducting interviews and collecting evidence.

Whitfield County Sheriff Darren Pierce said the investigation was launched after he and Dalton Mayor Annalee Sams received complaints about the businesses. "This has been several months in the making," Pierce said.

The GBI was brought in specifically to provide the manpower required for seven simultaneous searches, Pierce noted. The FBI's involvement was confirmed earlier Tuesday by the City of Dalton.

Pierce stated that all seven businesses searched on Tuesday will be shut down permanently. He also said he plans to collaborate with Whitfield County commissioners on a new ordinance governing massage parlour operations, covering requirements for opening a business and the credentials operators must hold — measures intended to increase oversight before such establishments are permitted to open.

Officials said they could not yet provide information about potential victims, as interviews and investigative work were still ongoing. Full names of those arrested and a final arrest tally are expected to be released once Tuesday's operation is concluded.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)