“Excellent work by all agencies working to protect individuals from the dangers and damage associated with human trafficking and traffickers.  Keep up the great work.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

MONTEREY COUNTY – On May 13, 2025, the CHP Monterey Area announced the arrest of a 31-year-old human trafficking suspect. 

According to CHP, in February 2025, the crime of premeditated attempted murder, human trafficking, assault with a firearm, assault likely to cause great bodily injury, threats to commit crime resulting in death, pimping, pandering, and conspiracy to commit crime occurred on US-101 in Monterey County. The comprehensive investigation that followed led to several different counties, ultimately resulting in the arrest of the suspect in Merced County.

Human trafficking suspects often commit crimes in several counties and states. Investigating human trafficking involves numerous law enforcement agencies working together.

This case was investigated by the

• California Highway Patrol, Monterey Area;
• California Highway Patrol, Coastal Division Investigative Services Unit (ISU)
•  Salinas Police Department Violence Suppression Task Force;
• Merced Police Gang Violence Suppression Unit (GVSU);
• California Highway Patrol, Central Division ISU;
• California Highway Patrol, Delta Regional Auto Theft Team (Delta Ratt);
• California Highway Patrol, Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VenCATT);
• Tracy Police Department Special Investigations Unit (SIU);
• Tracy Police Department Special Enforcement Team (SET);
•  Santa Cruz County Sheriff Department;
• California Department of Justice Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Team;
• and the Monterey County District Attorney’s office.

The suspect is facing eight Felony charges, which include:

PC664-187(a)-Attempted Murder

PC236.1(b)-Human Trafficking-To Commit Another Crime

PC245(a)(2)-F-Assault with Firearm On Person

PC245(a)(4)-F-Assault: Likely GBI not firearm

PC422(a)-F Threats to Commit Crime Resulting In Death

PC266h(a)-Pimping

PC266i(a)(1)-Pandering

PC182(a)(1)-F-Conspiracy: Commit Crime

The suspect is currently in the Monterey County jail without bail and is due back in court on May 22, 2025, for a preliminary hearing.