RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTSheriff Chad Bianco |
| Press Release: | Solicitation of Prostitution |
| Station Area: | Temecula |
| Written Date: | August 28, 2020 | Time: | 3:00 PM |
| Incident Date: | August 26, 2020 | Time: | 2:00 PM |
| Incident Location: | 27000 Block of Jefferson Ave., Temecula
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| Reporting Officer: | Sergeant Robert Menchaca
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| File Number(s): | Multiple |
Details:
On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, members of the Southwest Station Problem Orientated Policing Team (POP), in partnership with personnel from the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) conducted a comprehensive “John” prostitution sting in an effort to reduce the demand for sex trafficking in the city of Temecula.
Law enforcement personnel, operating in an undercover capacity, placed decoy advertisements on several popular classified advertisement websites commonly used for the solicitation of online prostitution. The undercover operators communicated with prospective customers replying to their posted prostitution (decoy) advertisements. After brokering an agreement for paid sexual acts, these “Johns,” were then arrested upon their arrival to the meeting location.
As a result of this enforcement effort, a total of 12 men were arrested on misdemeanor prostitution charges.
All subjects arrested were booked and released from the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
Prostitution is not a victimless crime. Ninety-five percent of sex trafficking victims are women or children. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one in six endangered runaways reported are likely victims of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking victims are often subjected not only to severe forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker, but are also frequently physically and sexually assaulted by those that solicit them for prostitution. Southwest Station POP and the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force seek to disrupt and dismantle sex trafficking rings operating within Riverside County and will aggressively identify, pursue and apprehend those who seek to exploit those whom are most vulnerable. Southwest Station POP and RCAHT will also proactively work to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers.
Anyone with questions about this operation can contact Deputy B. Jauert of the Southwest Station POP at (951) 696-3000.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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| David Currington | Andrew Fisher | Derek Powers | Ludwig Barrios |
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| Jose Ruiz | Joshua Gardner | Cesar Hernandez-Navarro | Pedro Handore |
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| Bryan Cruz | Benny Garcia | Joshua Davis | Daron Walker |