SHERIFF_AnnualReport_8.5x11_041521_WEB

UMAN
RAFFICKING
THE COUNTER
HUMAN
TRAFFICKING
TEAM’S
MISSION
is to target human traffickers and
exploiters and disrupt their networks by
creating instability in the sexual exploitation
market by leveraging assets,
resources, and relationships.
This Team is primarily responsible for
investigating the sexual and labor
exploitation of both adults and
juveniles. The team also assists allied
agencies with training, case review,
court expert assistance, and
operational support. Human trafficking
investigations are extremely complex,
time consuming, and ever evolving. The
investigations often require an
extensive amount of follow-up and
include interstate travel, search
warrants, social media review, and
court room testimony. The victims also
require and deserve an incredible
amount of support and services. The
District Attorney’s Victim Witness
advocates are incorporated into our
investigations from the very beginning
and work tirelessly to help support
and provide for the victims and their
ongoing needs.
Human trafficking and sexual exploitation
investigations are highly specialized
and require experts to continue to
obtain expert training and seek out
current and relevant trends. Investigators
provide mandated training to the
hospitality industry via the District
Attorney’s Office Victim Witness
Center. Due to COVID-19 and the
restrictions seen in 2020, trainings and
presentations after March 2020 were
postponed or held online.
In 2020, these Investigators were
responsible for the following:
• 27 total operations
• High-value targets
• Pimp operations
• Purchaser operations
• Prostitution enforcement
• Massage parlors
(civil and criminal investigations)
• “Cyber” disruption operations
• Operation Reclaim/Rebuild
(statewide operation)
• Labor trafficking training
• Networking and collaboration
• Two federal referrals—one
currently in custody in Indiana
• Four active Human Trafficking
(HT) ongoing cases, one HT
conviction
• 34 criminal filings related to
solicitation of prostitution
• Other various exploitation cases
(internet, unfounded cases,
social media, etc.)
• Two labor trafficking referrals
• Three pending HT related,
multiple high value targets,
pandering, child pornography,
and miscellaneous other
investigations
This team plans to continue providing
complete and thorough investigations,
trainings, and support, advocating for
victims and their families in the coming
year. Additional resources are planned
to be added to the Counter Human
Trafficking Team to help further
combat the rise in human trafficking in
San Luis Obispo County.
24 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE