Yoshita Singh
Boston, Apr 19 (PTI) An Indian father-son duo is among over 30 people indicted by federal authorities on charges of running a large-scale prostitution racket in California.
Vinod Patel, 60 and his 27-year old son Hitesh Patel owned and operated a motel in San Diego that was used as a brothel.
Federal prosecutors said the father and son managed prostitution activities in rooms away from legitimate customers and also warned pimps and others about police inquiries.
Authorities have charged 36 others, mostly members of a street gang, with racketeering and sex trafficking of minors and adults, kidnapping, extortion and distribution of controlled substances.
The prostitution ring involved adult women and underage girls and was managed by a street gang known as the Oceanside Crips that had used the Patels' motel since 2005 for prostitution.
The motel has been seized by authorities.