Eureka Police Department press release: 

Around the middle of February 2020, the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP) along with a Senior Patrol Officer, launched an investigation into alleged acts of prostitution taking place at a residence in the 400 block of W. Creighton Street in Eureka. The investigation revealed that the occupants of the residence were using an online escort web page called, “SKIPTHEGAMES” to solicit clients for prostitution. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for the residence.

On February 26, 2020, the POP unit, along with the investigating Senior Officer and a Detective, initiated a sting operation. Suntalena Downs, 39 of Eureka, and Michelle Casanas, 52 of Eureka, were found to be on the SKIPTHEGAMES website as escorts and were contacted via text by detectives. Instructions were sent by text and the detective responded to the residence on W. Creighton Street. The detective entered the residence and an agreement was made for services. This verbal agreement of services met the legal requirement for a violation of California Penal Code section 647(b), Prostitution. POP then entered the residence and executed the search warrant. Electronic evidence was seized for analysis as well as evidence associated with narcotics use and sales.

Downs and Casanas were both arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked for prostitution and maintaining a drug house.

If you have any information on locations being used to carry out acts of prostitution or you know of someone who is being trafficked for prostitution, you are asked to contact the Eureka Police Department’s POP team at (707) 441-4373. Human Trafficking is a major concern across the United States and escort sites such as SKIPTHEGAMES provides a forum for crimes to be perpetrated. EPD will continue to follow up on leads, conduct undercover operations into online prostitution and Human Trafficking, and work with our state and federal partners to hold those accountable for these crimes.