On May 8, 2020 a Pomona Police Officer was patrolling the Holt Corridor when a young looking girl and several other women were observed loitering in the area of Holt Ave and Mountain View. After determining the girl's actions were consistent with someone loitering with the intent to commit prostitution, the Officer contacted her. The young girl provided false information, identifying herself as an adult. The Officer was unable to positively confirm the information provided and she was ultimately transported to the Pomona City Jail. Once at the jail, the young girl was positively identified as being a 17 year old. SETT Officers were contacted and responded to assist with the investigation. This is the fourth teenage victim that has been successfully rescued from the Holt Corridor in the past two weeks.
The juvenile was from Moreno Valley where she was supposed to be visiting her family. She stated she traveled to an area known for prostitution in Los Angeles where she spent several hours. She was later transported to the Holt Corridor by her exploiter. The young girl began loitering with the intent to commit prostitution and earn money for her exploiter. After she was transported to the Pomona Police Department where she was identified as being a juvenile victim, several attempts were made to contact her family but they could not be reached.
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 charge. 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 Diana Hernandez
Pomona Police Department
Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Team (SETT)
