On Monday, September 16, 2019, at about 2:00 am, investigators from the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force responded to a request from San Bernardino Police Officers, regarding the contact of two possible victims of Human Trafficking. Officers indicated they had contacted two females near the 500 block of N. G St. and had identified one of the females as 17-year-old runaway from Los Angeles County. Officers transported the two females to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Central Station where they were met by Task Force investigators, who then assumed the investigation. During interviews with both females, investigators discovered information that supported their involvement in prostitution and as victims of Human Trafficking. Through continued interviews, Task Force investigators were able to confirm both victim's identities as well as the circumstances that lead them into being controlled by their traffickers, and ultimately their exploitation. The victims were rescued, provided access to immediate services and resources, then safely returned to their families.
The San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force is made up of investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, San Bernardino Police Department, Ontario Police Department, Redlands Police Department, California State Parole, Office of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Although investigators were able to successfully contact and rescue the victims, the suspect(s) involved in their exploitation have not yet been located. This investigation is ongoing and investigators believe there are other unidentified victims related to this case. They are asking that anyone with information related to this investigation, please contact the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force at (909) 387-8400. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME or you may leave the information on the WE-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.