Goleta man arrested for multiple sex crimes

GOLETA, Calif. - A man was arrested in Goleta by Sheriff’s Detectives from the Special Investigations Bureau on Tuesday for multiple sex crimes after a two-week long investigation.

The suspect, 34-year-old Benito Rodriguez Bravo of Lompoc, reportedly posted an advertisement on the internet attempting to hire women to participate in nude housecleaning and erotic massages.

During the investigation, Sheriff’s Detectives posed as a 16-year-old girl and communicated with Bravo.

Despite the age, Bravo sent the minor explicit images with the intent to cause sexual arousal and attempted to recruit the minor to have sex with high-paying customers, promising payment of $5,000 a week.

Bravo then arranged a meeting with the minor in Goleta. Detectives arrested Bravo upon his arrival at the meeting place.

The detectives reportedly believe Bravo was working alone and posed as both the recruiter and the potential client for the sexual services asked of the girls.

The Sheriff's Office said it appears Bravo had no intention of paying for any of the services he would have asked to receive.

Bravo was booked in the Santa Barbara County Jail and was charged with arranging a meeting with a minor, human trafficking of a minor, contacting a minor with intent for sex, sending harmful material to a minor with attempt to seduce, attempt to commit crime and pandering.

Bravo also already had an outstanding warrant for violation of probation and domestic violence.

Bravo is being held without bail.

The Sheriff's Office asks that any other victims related to this case contact the detectives at humantrafficking@sbsheriff.org.