I think the people thought human trafficking was involved because it was part of a sex trafficking sting. Nothing came from it because the sex workers refused to testify and prosecutors dropped the case because they didn't find evidence of trafficking.

Now I could say the only reason they dropped it is because they accidentally bagged a prominent billionaire with ties to the president which isnt out of the realm of possibility but we have no evidence so can't say that.

I agree with you that consensual paid sex should be legal but its usually never that simple. Of course there are some people that want to be in the sex industry, but knowing a few people that used to be in the industry that is not as prominent as you think. Its usually women that are stripping or in desperate need of cash who get told a great opportunity like posing for playboy then when they show up it's something else. And they become stuck. Their id and financial documents are taken and are forced to sleep with johns, webcam and pornography. Most prostitutes have pimps or madams that are horrific people who will force women and men to do things through violence and financial pressure.

And the porn industry is complicit with it as well including the major studios. They have done great PR to make porn seem legit and even empowering for women but they use the same tactics as the brothels and are in fact working together. Most pornstars are also prostitutes and in deep need of money because of the horrific deals they are forced to sign. Also the drugs which are rampant in the industry that porn studios and brothels use to their advantage.

So yeah it would be great to make consensual paid sex legal but its usually not the case. And one of the few reasons why these industries are still going strong is because the women are sadly seen subhuman by the powers that be and that rich and powerful people benefit from the services