BROWARD COUNTY, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2023) — The Broward Sheriff’s Office arrested a couple for a prostitution operation they ran out of various massage parlors in the area.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, detectives began investigating several massage parlors operated by Catalina Soto, Yonleno Carmenates, and Soto’s son Diego Molina Prieto, in October 2022.
Detectives partnered with several Law Enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, Miramar Police Department, and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department to conduct an extensive investigation. The information obtained during the investigation led them to identify the following locations as being involved in criminal activities:
- “Spa Latinas Spa”
2465 E. Commercial Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale - “Atlantis Massage & Spa”
5130 N. Federal Hwy in Fort Lauderdale - “Asian Lotus Spa”
1001 E. Sample Rd. in Deerfield Beach - “Angel Spa”
134 E. McNab Rd. in Pompano Beach.
Investigators say that large amounts of money were generated in these locations by illegal activities, including prostitution. Detectives determined that Catalina Soto, Yonleno Carmenates, and Soto’s son Diego Molina Prieto, were using various financial institutions to launder more than $100,000 in proceeds generated from prostitution.
On Monday, July 10th, 2023, a search warrant was executed at a Dania Beach home where Carmenates and Soto were arrested. Molina Prieto was not located but now has a warrant out for his arrest.
BSO says that the 3 face charges including money laundering, benefiting from the proceeds of a prostitute, and racketeering.
