|
Anti-Human Trafficking Operations
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Thursday, February 13th, 2025
In January 2025, Detectives from the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force (VCHTTF) participated in Anti-Human Trafficking Operations throughout Ventura County in coordination with Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, a statewide enforcement effort against human trafficking organized by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Detectives identified areas in Ventura County, including motels and massage parlors, that have been linked to sex trafficking activity in the past and set up sting operations. The Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force is composed of two full-time Sheriff’s Detectives, supported by representative detectives from each law enforcement agency in Ventura County and several victim service providers. The VCHTTF investigates both labor and sex trafficking within the county. The goal of these operations was to rescue victims of sexual exploitation, provide social services to potential human trafficking victims in the tri-county area, arrest traffickers (pimps), and arrest the “Johns” (commercial sex buyers) who exploit victims of commercial sex. On January 30th, the VCHTTF assisted the Ventura Police Department in a motel operation in the City of Ventura. Detectives arrested one trafficker, who had an outstanding felony warrant from Monterey County. The warrant was related to sex trafficking of a minor. The trafficker was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility, awaiting extradition. One “John” was also arrested after attempting to pay for commercial sex acts. During Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, the VCHTTF also partnered with code compliance officers, local and federal law enforcement agencies, and victim advocates to conduct compliance checks at 26 locations within the county identified as suspected Illicit Massage Businesses (IMBs). As a result of this operation, five massage parlors countywide were immediately closed due to multiple code violations. Code compliance officers also issued multiple administrative citations to businesses. An Illicit Massage Business (IMB) is a commercial establishment that allows or facilitates the occurrence of sex for sale. Often, the employees are victims of labor trafficking and sex trafficking. During this operation, the Task Force was able to provide resources to approximately 52 potential victims who were working at these IMBs. Detectives encourage anyone who believes they are a victim, or who knows someone who may be a victim, to contact “211” or local law enforcement to be connected with support services. Prepared by: Detective Nan Jiang |
