Full Notification

On May 7, 2020 the Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Team (SETT) was conducting enforcement on the Holt Corridor when the team observed a young looking girl loitering in the area.  After determining the girl's actions were consistent with someone loitering with the intent to commit prostitution, SETT officers contacted her.  During the investigation SETT officers discovered she was only 17 years old and a victim of human trafficking.
 
SETT took the young girl into protective custody and transported her to the Pomona Police station.  The girl explained she was from Los Angeles and had been forced to engage in commercial sex acts at the direction of her exploiter.  Her exploiter forced her to engage in sexual acts for money despite knowing she is only 17 years old.  When the victim refused to cooperate, her exploiter physically abused her and threatened to kill her.  Prior to tonight, the exploiter had isolated the victim from her family and forced her to live with him.  She was only allowed to have limited contact with her family and friends.  The victim had attempted to escape on more than one occasion, but had not been able to get away from her exploiter. 
 
SETT initiated the First Responder Protocol (FRP) to activate the multi-agency response team which ensures resources and services are provided for the victim.  The First Responder Protocol is an agreement between the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Probation, and local law enforcement all of whom work in cooperation to provide a victim-centered approach to juvenile victims of human trafficking.  The victim was ultimately released into the custody of the Los Angeles County Probation Department for an unrelated warrant.  This investigation is on-going.
 
The Pomona Police Department takes a proactive approach to combating human trafficking and utilizes the assistance of other agencies to provide a victim-centered approach.  The Pomona Police Department Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Team (SETT) conducts enforcement and investigates cases of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Investigators believe there are other unidentified victims related to this case and urge anyone with information related to this investigation to contact the Pomona Police Department at (909) 620-2085.      If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).  Information can also be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or via text message to 233733.
  
WRITTEN BY:  
Officer Angela Torres
Pomona Police Department
Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Team (SETT)