2 arrested, 7 rescued from prostitution operation

Authorities arrested two individuals last Wednesday, suspected of running a prostitution operation that involved seven different women working in multiple "brothel" establishments located in Sacramento and Placer counties. According to court documents filed in Sacramento Superior Court, Paul Anthony Gregorio and Xuan Phi Nguyen have been charged with eight felony counts of pandering for operating the various locations for prostitution in Sacramento and Placer Counties.The case against the defendants is being prosecuted by the California Department of Justice's Special Prosecutions Section, according to a press release issued by the Attorney General's office late Wednesday. Gregorio and Nguyen face a total of eight felony counts of pandering. During the arrest operation, special agents with the California Department of Justice also seized a total of $54,891. A date of arraignment for the Sacramento County Superior Court will be determined."When people break the law, my office always stands ready to investigate and prosecute," said Attorney General Bonta. "We won't sit idly by when the health and safety of our residents is put at risk. As today's arrests and charges demonstrate, our team at the California Department of Justice is on the ground each and every day to help protect the people of California." As alleged in the complaint, the defendants operated a prostitution ring involving seven women between April 2020 and May 2022.Following an extensive investigation, the arrests were made today by special agents from the California Department of Justice's Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Team, with support from the Tax Recovery in the Underground Economy Task Force and the White Collar Fraud Investigation Team. In addition, the operation was assisted by multiple law enforcement agencies in Sacramento and Placer County as well as the California Department of Health Care Services. At this time the names and locations of the establishments are not being released as the investigation continues into the operation. In shutting down the establishments, special agents executed multiple search warrants and two arrest warrants. The case is being prosecuted by the California Department of Justice's Special Prosecutions Section. During the operation, service providers were on call to offer resources and support for those in need. At this time jail records do not indicate booking and bail details of the Gregorio or Nguyen. This is a developing story that Gold Country Media will continue to provide updates to the story on this case as further details become released. The complete criminal complaint can be viewed at www.folsomtelegraph.com.