Arrest Made in Encinitas Prostitution Sting

In June of 2012, the San Diego Sheriff's "North County Human Trafficking Task Force" (NCHTTF) conducted a prostitution operation which targeted 'johns' at a motel in Encinitas. Michael Lustig was one of the 'johns' arrested for soliciting prostitution.

Lustig, 70, was arrested without incident Tuesday morning by the San Diego Sheriff's Department and FBI. Lustig was taken into custody during a car stop in the vicinity of I-805 and Governor Drive at approximately 10:00 a.m. He will be processed at the Encinitas Sheriff's Station and booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown San Diego later today.

At the time of Lustig's arrest, multiple cell phones belonging to him were seized. Subsequent analysis of the phone information indicated Lustig was texting two minor females (ages 12 and 13) to solicit prostitution.

Further investigation identified these two minors, and both have admitted to having performed sexual acts with Lustig for money in late 2011 and early 2012.

Working in conjunction with the FBI, and U. S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California, as part of the Innocence Lost Task Force, multiple search warrants and subpoenas were issued to obtain further evidence. Based on this material, an arrest warrant was issued by the U. S. Attorney's Office and charged him for two counts of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591 – Sex Trafficking of a Minor.

–SD Sheriff's Department Press Release