HAMMOND — A man from California is facing human trafficking charges after claiming he was running massage parlors in Tangipahoa Parish.
Steven Bates, 58, of Farmersville, California, was arrested and charged with prostitution, money laundering, human trafficking and additional charges.
The investigation started in June 2025 when the Hammond Fire Prevention Bureau launched an investigation into Bates after officials say he applied for occupational licenses for multiple locations in Hammond. Officials inspected the businesses, where Bates said he was working as a hypnotist.
At these businesses, inspectors say they found women “dressed in lingerie or scanty clothing who appeared to be living at the businesses, which appeared to be operating as massage parlors,” according to a news release. In fact, during one reinspection, officials said all the doors were locked. When inspectors knocked, they say that Bates opened the door and spoke with them, but would not allow them inside because he allegedly stood in the doorway and blocked the entrance.
In November 2025, Hammond PD joined the investigation and found that Bates had outstanding felony warrants with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office for prostitution, engaging in the practice of massage therapy without a license (2 counts), and pandering (5 counts). He was originally arrested on the outstanding warrants.
In the meantime, officers got search warrants for Bates’ businesses and say they found evidence of human trafficking.
“Bates’ female employees have been trafficked from out of the state and/or country, as well as evidence of prostitution and money laundering,” the news release said.
The ladies were detained, but their names have not been released for their protection.
Bates has since been arrested on pandering, two counts of prostitution, human trafficking, money laundering and the outstanding warrants.
Officials said that Bates is believed to be tied to multiple massage parlors and that they have now forwarded the case to the Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Department of Justice. Additional charges may be pending.
Hammond officials stressed tips from the public are what ultimately guided investigators and led to Bates’ arrest.
Anyone with information on someone operating illegal businesses, promoting prostitution, or human trafficking, please contact the Hammond Police Department Narcotics Division at 985-277-5700, via the Hammond Police Department’s Facebook page, or through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s anonymous tip line at 1-800-554-5245.
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