Nature of Incident: Human Trafficking Arrest
Report Number: 18-44512
Location: City of Camarillo – multiple locations
Date & Time: 3/21/2018 @ 8:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Special Crimes Unit, Major Crimes Unit, Narcotics Unit, Camarillo Police
Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) James Powell
(V) Adult Female
(V) Adult Female
(V) Juvenile Female
(V) Juvenile Female
(V) Juvenile Female
Sacramento, CA
Rohnert Park, CA
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA
31
22
20
17
16
14
Narrative:
On March 20th and 21st 2018, detectives with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of one suspect and discovery of 3 juvenile and 2 adult human trafficking victims.
On March 20, 2018, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office received information from a Citrus Heights Police Department detective about a 14-year-old female runaway that may be in the Camarillo area. The detective believed the 14-year-old girl was possibly a victim of Human
Trafficking based on an internet post with a picture of the 14-year-old female advertising sexual services.
Camarillo Patrol deputies began checking lodging establishments in Camarillo and located the 14-year-old female along with a 17-year-old female and a 22-year-old female in a hotel in Camarillo. Detectives from the Special Crimes Unit and Major Crimes Unit responded to begin an investigation. Detectives conducted interviews, obtained a search warrant for the hotel room, conducted a search of the hotel room and collected evidence. Based on all of the evidence and
information obtained during the investigation, detectives determined the females were being sexually exploited and were victims of human trafficking. Detectives determined there was a 16- year-old juvenile female, a 20-year-old adult female and the suspect that were unaccounted for.
Detectives were concerned for the safety of the two females and obtained assistance from the
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Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit and Camarillo Police Department Special Enforcement Detail. Detectives from these investigative units continued with the investigation and search for the two females.
After approximately 24 hours of ongoing investigation and searching, the 16-year-old juvenile victim was located in the Sacramento area, the 20-year-old female was found with the suspect,
James Powell, preparing to check into a hotel in Manhattan Beach.
Powell was arrested and transported back to Ventura County where he was booked into the Ventura County Jail on human trafficking charges with a bail set at $510,000.00. The District Attorney’s Office filed 2 counts of human trafficking 236.1(c)(2) PC and 2 counts of human
trafficking 236.1(a) PC on Powell. A Preliminary Hearing for Powell is scheduled for April 6th 2018 in Ventura Superior Court.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has a dedicated human trafficking investigator assigned to the Special Crimes Unit. This investigative unit is responsible for investigating various criminal organizations operating throughout Ventura County. The Sheriff’s Office investigates human
trafficking cases with a victim centered approach as these victims are often in need of additional resources because they lack a support base. The Sheriff’s Office teams up with public and private organizations to bridge the gap in resources for these victims. In this particular case, Interface and the Federal Bureau of Investigations victim services unit provided assistance to the victims in this case.
Prepared by: Sergeant Jason Hendren
News Release Date: March 29, 2018
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Aaron Grass 805-383-8753
[email protected]
Approved by: Captain Robert Thomas
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
