Full Notification

On Friday, April 7, 2017, investigators with the L.A. Regional Human Trafficking Task Force executed search warrants at the business and residence of Omar Sanchez MH/37, culminating a six month investigation into human trafficking related crimes.  Sanchez, who lives in Lakewood, is the owner/operator of “Bombshells” escort agency, located in the 13700 block of Studebaker Road, in the city of Norwalk.  After serving the warrants, investigators collected 13 firearms and a quantity of cash, which they believed to be proceeds from the illegal business practices.  Deputies from Norwalk Station, Lakewood Station and Officers from the California Highway Patrol assisted in the warrant services and searches.
 
Sanchez was arrested at the scene and booked for Human Trafficking, Rape and weapons charges.  Because of a previous felony conviction, Sanchez is prohibited from possessing firearms.  California Highway Patrol Detective Kerri Rivas was the lead investigator on the case, for the Human Trafficking Task Force.  Detective Rivas described the business as an illegal escort business, which supplied women for commercial sex to paying customers.  “Mr. Sanchez victimized some of the women who worked at the agency and sold their sexual services for money.  We are also investigating the abuse of underage girls who he employed as escorts”.  The business used the website “Backpage.com” to advertise the women and the services.
 
Omar Sanchez was booked at Norwalk Station and subsequently posted a $420,000 bond to secure his release.  He is scheduled to be arraigned on April 28, 2017, at Norwalk Superior Court. 
 
Anyone who was victimized by Omar Sanchez or with information regarding “Bombshells” escort agency is encouraged to contact investigators at 323-526-5156 or by contacting LA Crime Stoppers.     
 
For additional information contact:
Lieutenant Kent A. Wegener: 323-526-5156
Detective Kerri Rivas: 323-526-5188
After Hours: Sheriff’s Information Bureau: 213-229-1700
 
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Human Trafficking Bureau houses the LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, the nation’s largest co-located human trafficking task force.  The Task Force is a collaboration of federal, state, county and local law enforcement, social service agency and non-government and community-based organizations investigating and serving the needs of commercially exploited adults and minors victimized for the purpose of sex and labor.  
 
The LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force brings together systems and disciplines to address the victim’s needs through a victim centered, trauma informed approach.  The task force employs a regionalized strategy that crosses jurisdictional boundaries to identify and rescue victims while aggressively pursuing traffickers and buyers.
 
 LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force Partners: 
Federal
United States Attorney’s Office
Homeland Security Investigations (ICE)
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Marshals Service
United States Department of Labor 
State
California Attorney General
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (State Parole)
California Employment Development Department
California Highway Patrol
County
LA County Sheriff’s Department
LA County District Attorney’s Office (DA & DA Investigator)
Department of Children and Family Services
LA County Probation Department
LA County Department of Public Health 
City
Los Angeles Police Department
Los Angeles Unified School District Police Department
Pomona Police Department 
Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office
Non-Government/Community Based Organizations
Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
Saving Innocence
The Guardian Group (Hotel/Motel Outreach, Education and Signage)
Sheriff Clergy Council
Pet Prescriptions Therapy Dog Program
Demand Abolition Cease Network
Restoration Diversion Services
Virtuous Women Inc.
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
International Institute of Los Angeles
 
Forwarded by:
Grace Medrano, Deputy
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Hall of Justice - First floor  
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700

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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department