San Jose man arrested on suspicion of operating a brothel

SAN JOSE – A 53-year-old San Jose man has been arrested on suspicion of running a brothel out of a home in the city’s Julian-St. James neighborhood, police said.

The San Jose Police Department launched an investigation in November after it received a tip about suspicious activity possibly related to human trafficking at a residence in the 200 block of North 16th Street, Office Tanya Hernandez said in a news release Tuesday.

Detectives identified the 53-year-old man as the primary suspect responsible for running the brothel, Hernandez said.

On April 19, detectives arrested the man at the home with help from the Special Operations Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit, Downtown Services Unit and the FBI.

Detectives also located evidence the home was being used as a brothel, Hernandez said.

Two human-trafficking survivors were identified at the scene, Hernandez said, adding that they received resources.

The suspect, meanwhile, was booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of pimping and pandering.

The investigation is continuing, Hernandez said.

Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective Sargon Badal of the SJPD Human Trafficking Task Force at 4437@sanjoseca.gov or 408-537-1224. Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 (STOP) or www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.