Multiple California Hotels Named in Federal Sex Trafficking Lawsuit
A federal civil lawsuit filed by Andreozzi + Foote and co-counsel alleges that multiple California hotels and their owners enabled and profited from sex trafficking that allegedly occurred on their premises.
Filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), the case highlights how federal law allows survivors of sex trafficking to pursue civil claims against businesses that knowingly benefited—or should have known they were benefiting—from a trafficking venture, even when no criminal charges are filed.
Hotels Named in the Lawsuit
The federal complaint names the owners, operators, franchisees, managers, and/or supervisors responsible for multiple California hotel properties alleged to have been involved in the trafficking venture, including:
- Welcome Inn — Fresno, CA
- Palace Inn — Fresno, CA
- Vagabond Inn — Fresno, CA
- Motel 6 — multiple Fresno locations
- Rodeway Inn & Suites — Fresno, CA
- Travel Inn and Suites — Fresno, CA
- Travelodge Fresno — Fresno, CA
- Knights Inn Fresno — Fresno, CA
According to the complaint, the defendants exercised ownership, control, supervision, and/or management over the listed properties during the period when the victim was trafficked.
Allegations Outlined in the Complaint
The lawsuit alleges that the victim was trafficked from 2015 through 2017 by Ronald “Tiny” Salazar, who allegedly used physical violence and drugs to maintain control over her. According to the complaint, the survivor was required to meet nightly financial quotas and faced physical or sexual abuse if she failed to do so.
The complaint further alleges that the survivor was subjected to repeated sexual exploitation by multiple buyers at the subject hotels. According to the complaint, sex trafficking had occurred at these hotel properties prior to the survivor’s exploitation.
The lawsuit alleges that hotel staff knew or should have known trafficking was occurring based on numerous warning signs, including frequent foot traffic to rooms, visible signs of distress or impairment, suspicious individuals loitering outside the hotel rooms, and evidence of commercial sex activity inside the rooms.
Despite these red flags, the complaint alleges that hotel operators continued renting rooms and failed to intervene or report suspected trafficking.
The lawsuit asks for a jury trial and seeks compensation for the harm caused, the return of profits made from the trafficking, and other damages allowed under federal law.
When Criminal Charges Aren’t Filed
Although the alleged trafficker in this case has not been criminally charged, civil accountability does not always depend on a criminal conviction. This lawsuit focuses on whether hotel owners and operators ignored obvious signs of trafficking and continued to profit while exploitation allegedly occurred on their properties.
Civil lawsuits under anti-trafficking laws can provide survivors with financial compensation for therapy, medical care, and lost income. They can also help survivors reclaim their voices, expose systemic failures, and push businesses to strengthen policies and safeguards, helping to prevent similar harm in the future.
Support and Resources
If you were trafficked at one of the hotels named in this lawsuit, or anywhere else, please contact law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Your voice matters, and reaching out is an important step toward safety and healing.
National Human Trafficking Hotline:
📞 1-888-373-7888 (24/7, confidential)
📱 Text “BEFREE” (233733)
🌐 humantraffickinghotline.org
Can I File a Lawsuit Against a Hotel?
If you are a victim of human trafficking and want to understand your legal options, Andreozzi + Foote offers free, confidential consultations.
Our attorneys have extensive experience representing survivors of sex trafficking across the nation, with a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes survivor safety, dignity, and choice.
Whether you choose to pursue legal action or simply want to learn more about your rights, we are here to stand with you in the fight for accountability and justice.
Contact us today.
Image Source: Palace Inn in Fresno, CA, © Google, via Google Maps, one of the hotels named in the sex trafficking lawsuit.
