Rancho Cordova is a city of approximately 80,000 residents, located just east of Sacramento in California. Although not formally incorporated as a city until 2003, Rancho Cordova and the surrounding vicinity have dealt with chronic problems related to prostitution for at least two decades. Solicitation occurs at street level, but is also linked to some of the city’s many adult-oriented businesses.  A large human trafficking ring is also known to have operated in Rancho Cordova and throughout Sacramento and San Mateo Counties. In June 2013, arrests were made of leaders of an organized prostitution ring that trafficked women from Boston and New York to brothels located in residential areas of Sacramento and San Mateo counties. Once in Northern California, the defendants rotated the women between their brothels on an organized schedule.

Prior to its incorporation, Rancho Cordova was policed by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. While sheriff’s deputies continue to lead the vast majority of the city’s anti-prostitution operations, local police have begun assisting in some demand-driven operations. In 2010, the RCPD and SCSD coordinated efforts to intercept a male sex buyer from attempting to purchase sexual abuse with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl.

In 2017, the city participated in a countywide human trafficking sting conducted by several local law enforcement agencies, including the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and police from Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Folsom and Rancho Cordova. The Sacramento District Attorney’s Office oversaw their efforts.  Undercover officers posed as prostituted women and walked along the street, talking to people who appeared to be interested in soliciting sex. The sting also included an online portion, in which officers posted fake ads and told possible “clients” to meet at hotels in Folsom, Citrus Heights and Rancho Cordova. Rancho Cordova made three arrests of persons to appeared in person to complete the prostitution transactions.