Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force coordinated a sex buyer sting to combat the on-going problem of human trafficking. Compton Sheriff’s Station requested the Task Force’s assistance due to the numerous prostitution complaints in the area.
On Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, the Task Force put together an 18-person team to assist with the operation. The team consisted of personnel from Compton Station’s Special Assignment Team, Court Services Division, Custody Division, and LASD’s Reserve Forces Unit.
The operation began with female deputies going undercover and posing as prostitutes. At the conclusion of the operation, four male adults were arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution, a misdemeanor charge. Additionally, three cars were towed due to invalid or suspended licenses.
The Task Force is credited with rescuing a sexually exploited female child that had been previously reported missing out of Orange County. Orange County’s Human Trafficking Task Force responded and accepted custody of the minor.
Human Exploitation and Trafficking is very prevalent in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently received a $1.5 million grant to fund the establishment of a multi-agency Los Angeles Human Trafficking Task Force that will jointly be led by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The grant will enable more of these types of operations to be conducted in combating Human Trafficking and Exploitation throughout Los Angeles County.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Crimes Bureau’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force Sergeant Walker at (562) 946-7034. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the websitehttp://lacrimestoppers.org.
