2 arrested in Sacramento-area prostitution ring operation

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Wednesday the arrests and filing of felony charges against two individuals for allegedly operating a prostitution ring in Sacramento and Placer Counties. 

“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.”

The defendants, Paul Anthony Gregorio and Xuan Phi Nguyen, are accused of operating a prostitution ring involving seven women between April 2020 and May 2022. They face eight felony counts of pandering. 

The California Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Team conducted an investigation into the operation with the help of 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 and the California Department of Health Care Services.

Throughout the investigation, special agents executed multiple search warrants and two arrest warrants. Special agents from the California Department of Justice captured the two men and seized $54,891. 

The names and locations of the establishments have not yet been released as the operation continues. 

An arraignment for Gregorio and Nguyen will be set for a future date in the Sacramento County Superior Court.