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Bakersfield Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking Role at Desert Star Motel
FRESNO, Calif. — In a harsh verdict, Roy Gene Drees, 48, of Bakersfield, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a sex trafficking enterprise at the Desert Star Motel in Bakersfield.
According to court documents, Drees lived and worked at the motel, where he intentionally helped manage and carry out prostitution activity from 2015 through 2020. The motel, located at 516 South Union Avenue, was purchased by Jatin Bhakta in 2015 and had a history of prostitution-related arrests and child rescues.
A federal search warrant was executed on January 22, 2021, which led to the arrest of Drees, Bhakta, and 18 others, including 15 prostitutes and three pimps. The investigation was a result of a collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bakersfield Police Department, and the Parole Division of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. This case serves as a reminder of the severity of sex trafficking and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
In a separate case, Darnell Edwards, a pimp who forced two minor females to engage in prostitution at the Desert Star Motel, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison on May 1, 2023.
The investigation and prosecution of this case highlight the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle human trafficking operations in California. As the nation continues to grapple with the issue of sex trafficking, it is essential to remain vigilant and committed to bringing perpetrators to justice.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative that marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. The initiative is led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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