198 Arrested in County-wide Sex Trafficking Operation NR16026lp

Los Angeles: In observance of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, The Los Angeles Police Department Detective Support and Vice Division, Human Trafficking Unit (DSVD-HTU), in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Innocence Lost task Force (FBI-ILTF) conducted a County-wide operation that focused on the rescue and recovery of commercially sexually exploited children.

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild took place during the week of January 18 through January 23, 2016. Vice Investigators across the County conducted field operations to raise the public awareness of human trafficking by searching for potential sex trafficking victims, rescue them and attempt to locate and arrest the pimp.

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild resulted in 198 potential human trafficking suspects taken into custody. Six pimps were arrested and 12 minors were rescued who had been trafficked for the purposes of sexual slavery. Six adults were also identified as trafficking victims and received appropriate victim services. All recovered minors were placed in protective custody and will receive assistance and social services from the Department of Children and Family Services, as well as other non-governmental organizations.

Operation Reclaim and Rebuild was extremely successful and the quantity of arrests sends a strong message to the community that Human Trafficking is not tolerated. Most importantly, the operation provided 18 victims of sexual exploitation the opportunity and ability to reclaim their freedom and rebuild their lives.

Anyone with information on this crime or any other crimes related to Human Trafficking, Pimping, and Pandering are asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Human Trafficking Unit Detective Lina Teague at 213-486-0957. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.