“Law enforcement teams cannot rest in the work they do to protect our children from sexual predators and human traffickers.  We are appreciative of the California Department of Justice and their local law enforcement partners for conducting these types of operations.”

– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY– On May 21, 2024, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the Attorney General announced the arrests of seven suspects as part of a three-day, multi-agency operation that targeted human traffickers and child sexual predators.

The operation took place May 15-17, 2024 and targeted adults seeking to sexually exploit children and victims of sex trafficking by using undercover agents and detectives posing as minors on various social media platforms and websites commonly used by predators.

“Trafficking of children and adults for sex or labor is not ignored or overlooked here in San Luis Obispo County,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “The San Luis Obispo County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force continues to aggressively pursue traffickers and would-be purchasers of children or adults for exploitation. I am grateful to the California Department of Justice for their outstanding partnership with our local agencies in apprehending these seven individuals who attempted to prey on vulnerable children in our County.”

“This operation reminds us yet again we must remain vigilant against those who would do harm to our most precious and vulnerable resource, our children,” said Sheriff Ian Parkinson. “I am extremely grateful for the cooperation between the California Department of Justice, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office and those units of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, namely, the Special Operations Unit, which ultimately led to these arrests. Together, we have taken a crucial step in safeguarding our community.”

“At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to protect the people of our state. Together, we can forge a safer future for all vulnerable individuals who rightfully deserve protection, freedom, and justice,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The suspects are facing felony charges such as contact of a minor with the intent of sex, attempted lewd act with a child, and sending harmful content with the intent to seduce a minor. All seven suspects were arrested and booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office will be conducting the prosecutions.