On May 25, 2021 the Pomona Police Department Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Team (SETT) conducted an undercover operation targeting sex purchasers. SETT was assisted by the Pomona Police Department Special Investigations Unit and Agents from the West Covina FBI office. The Operation was conducted along the East Holt Corridor between the hours of 10:00AM and 5:00PM.
During the operation, Pomona Police Officers posed as sex workers and were contacted by sex purchasers. A total of ten arrests were made for violation of California Penal Code Section 647(b) – Prostitution.
Arrested were:
Tapia, Manuel – 51 year old San Bernardino resident
Farraj, Mark Elias – 53 year old La Verne resident
Hernandez, Albert – 36 year old Montclair resident
Padilla, Jose – 20 year old Pomona resident
Torres, Humberto – 58 year old Pomona resident
Barreto, Angel – 36 year old Pomona resident
Elias Polanco, Josue Javier – 25 year old Pomona resident
Lopez Perez, Julio Cesar – 31 year old Bloomington resident
Kobold, Mike Albert – 51 year old Riverside resident
Hasan, Suleiman Fareed – 32 year old Upland resident
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. Since January 2021, SETT has recovered 12 juvenile victims of human trafficking and several adult victims.
Investigators believe there may be unidentified victims related to human trafficking and urge anyone with information 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.
