64 People Arrested and Two Women Saved in Riverside County Sex Trafficking Sting
Verified Research
The Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) arrested 64 people Jan. 25 during “operation Reclaim & Rebuild,” a nearly week-long operation that targeted online prostitution, according to officials.
Task Force members placed advertisements on websites known for soliciting prostitution. RCAHT Task Force members then responded to prospective customers and arranged meetings.
During the week of Jan. 24-30, the task force arrested 61 males and one female for solicitation of prostitution, one male for soliciting a minor for lewd purposes and one male for aiding a person to commit prostitution.
According to a press release on the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department website, 17 of the suspects arrested were from the Coachella Valley.
RELATED: Operation Lost Angels Recovered 33 Children During Anti-Trafficking Operation
The series of law enforcement operations included arrests in La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indio, Palm Springs, Coachella, Thermal and several other Riverside County areas.
Among those arrested was Bryan Gaboury, an investigator with the Riverside County District Attorney.
This investigation is part of the “Operation Reclaim & Rebuild,” which is an annual state initiative that focuses on rescuing survivors of sexual slavery and human trafficking, identifying and arresting their captors and disrupting demand for these vulnerable victims.
The operation coincides with National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Last year’s “Operation Reclaim & Rebuild” resulted in 76 adult and 11 minor victims being recovered; 266 males arrested solicitation and 27 suspected traffickers and exploiters arrested. In total, 518 arrests were made, according to RSO.
