Human Trafficking Suspect & Additional Victims Sought NR19053ml

Los Angeles: Vice Investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Van Nuys Area are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a Human Trafficking Suspect and any additional Victims.

On February 20, 2019, around 8:00 pm, a female approximately 20 years old walked into an LAPD police station to report she was a victim of Human Trafficking.

The suspect had loaned the victim money and forced her to prostitute herself, to repay the loan. The suspect knew the victim’s financial struggles and coerced her to continue to work as a prostitute. When she refused, the suspect escalated his aggression causing the victim to fear for her safety.

The suspect is a 27-year-old male black with black hair styled in long dreads and brown eyes. He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds. He has tattoos on both arms, and frequents the Hollywood and North Hollywood areas.

Anyone who sees the Suspect or has additional information is urged to call the Van Nuys Community Police Station at (818) 374-9500. If you are a Victim of Human Trafficking you are urged to call Officer Smith at (818) 374-0073. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.