Executive Summary
- Steven Bates, 58, was arrested in Hammond, Louisiana, on charges of human trafficking, money laundering, and prostitution.
- The investigation began with fire safety inspections that revealed women living in business locations under suspicious circumstances.
- Police allege evidence shows women were transported from out of state and other countries for illicit purposes.
- Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Department of Justice have assumed control of the case.
A 58-year-old man from California has been taken into custody in Hammond, Louisiana, facing multiple felony charges including human trafficking and money laundering following a months-long multi-agency investigation. Steven Bates, of Farmersville, California, was arrested and booked into the Hammond City Jail after local authorities, in coordination with federal agents, raided several massage parlors he allegedly operated.
According to the Hammond Police Department, Bates faces charges of human trafficking, prostitution, promoting prostitution (pandering), and money laundering. Additionally, officials stated that Bates held active fugitive warrants from East Baton Rouge Parish for similar offenses, including operating an unlicensed massage business and promoting prostitution. The investigation has since been transferred to Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Department of Justice, with authorities anticipating further arrests and charges.
The inquiry began in June when the Hammond Fire Prevention Bureau noted that Bates had applied for business licenses at multiple locations. During subsequent inspections, officials reported finding women dressed in lingerie or revealing clothing who appeared to be residing at the business premises. According to investigators, Bates claimed he was operating as a hypnotist at these locations. In a follow-up visit, Bates allegedly refused entry to inspectors, blocking the doorway after they discovered the businesses were locked.
By November, the Fire Prevention Bureau engaged the Hammond Police Department for assistance. Detectives located Bates in a vehicle outside one of the establishments and executed his arrest based on the outstanding felony warrants from East Baton Rouge. Following the arrest, police executed search warrants on the properties. The search yielded evidence indicating that women had been transported from out of state and from foreign countries for the purpose of prostitution, according to police reports. The victims were taken into protective custody, and their identities have been withheld for their safety.
Investigative Outlook and Legal Proceedings
The escalation of this case from local code enforcement to a joint operation involving Homeland Security Investigations indicates that authorities suspect a sophisticated, potentially transnational criminal enterprise. The involvement of federal agencies typically signals an effort to dismantle broader logistical networks responsible for the transport and exploitation of trafficking victims across jurisdictional lines. As the investigation proceeds, the focus will likely shift toward identifying financial flows and potential accomplices facilitating the operation. It is important to note that Steven Bates is presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
