California Apartment Complexes Accused in Sex Trafficking Lawsuit

A woman who claims she was a victim of sex trafficking as a minor is filing a federal lawsuit against two upscale apartment complexes in California, alleging that employees ignored ongoing trafficking activities and, in some cases, accepted cash payments while it occurred in her apartment. The lawsuit names the Avalon at Mission Bay and South Beach Marina Apartments in San Francisco.

The woman, referred to as A.V. in the complaint, states that this trafficking took place between 2018 and 2019, when she was still in high school and under 18 years old. The complaint details that a man, using the alias “Tom Roe,” coerced her and others into commercial sex acts within the apartments, where she lived. It is reported that Roe covered the rent, often paying in cash, while the trafficking operation continued unchecked.

Legal representatives for A.V. argue that Roe strategically chose luxury apartments due to their appealing appearance and amenities, asserting that these locations became focal points for the alleged human trafficking, with clients being sent there regularly.

The lawsuit claims that the total rent for a one-bedroom unit at South Beach Marina was around $7,500 a month, escalating to about $10,000 monthly at Avalon after A.V. and other victims were moved there, as Roe favored the property’s upscale nature.

A.V.’s lawyers allege that employees—front desk staff, security personnel, and maintenance workers—witnessed various signs indicative of sex trafficking, such as minors living in the apartments, numerous non-resident males visiting frequently, and suspicious lease arrangements. The complaint suggests that security cameras monitored key areas of the building, and that employees were aware of the trafficking taking place.

It’s claimed that maintenance staff even entered A.V.’s unit during the illicit activities and saw commercial sex acts, drug use, and cash exchanges, yet did nothing. The complaint alleges that Roe maintained control over A.V. by supplying drugs and issuing threats if she didn’t meet financial demands. It also mentions that he branded her and other victims with tattoos related to the trafficking operation.

Among the most alarming allegations is that Roe paid employees for their silence. Moreover, it is asserted that front desk and security personnel advised victims on how to conceal their identities when letting guests in and out of the buildings.

The lawsuit challenges the apartment management for failing to train staff adequately to identify and report sex trafficking indicators, claiming they financially profited from ongoing rent and service fees amidst the trafficking activities.

As the case unfolds, A.V. has reportedly evaded charges since Roe’s arrest by the FBI, though no specific details on the timing of arrests have been disclosed. A federal judge has allowed her to file the lawsuit under a pseudonym due to the sensitive nature of the allegations.

This lawsuit seeks to hold accountable not just the apartment managers but also the owners and security teams, alleging negligence and emotional distress. Calls for comments have been made to relevant parties, including the apartment complexes and the FBI.