33 missing children rescued in major human trafficking investigation, FBI says "Operation Los Angels" was based out of Los Angeles

 

By Peter Aitken | Fox News

A multi-agency human trafficking investigation in Southern California has led to the recovery of 33 missing children, the FBI announced.

A multi-agency human trafficking investigation in Southern California has led to the recovery of 33 missing children, the FBI announced.

At least eight of the children had been sexually exploited, authorities said.

The FBI has seen a spike in human trafficking-related crimes in recent years, with the bureau reporting more than 1,800 pending investigations as of November 2020.

More than two dozen law enforcement agencies and non-governmental agencies participated in "Operation Lost Angels," which began Jan. 11 as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

"The FBI considers human trafficking modern-day slavery, and the minors engaged in commercial sex trafficking are considered victims," Assistant FBI Director Kristi K. Johnson said, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles. "While this operation surged resources over a limited period of time with great success, the FBI and our partners investigate child sex trafficking every day of the year and around the clock.

Several of the children returned to commercial sex trafficking after they were located by authorities, either voluntarily or no coercion, requiring authorities to make several interventions.

The operation resulted in the arrest on state charges of one suspected human trafficker and the opening of multiple investigations.

Not all of the children were the victims of severe circumstances, with one child the victim of a noncustodial parental kidnapping, the FBI said.

In 2020, the FBI initiated 664 human trafficking investigations nationwide, making 473 arrests.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.

Missing Girl, 15, Found Dead in Industrial Area of Compton Had ‘Traumatic’ Injury

BY TRACY BLOOM AND CHRISTINA PASCUCCI

A death investigation is underway after the body of a missing 15-year-old girl was found with a "traumatic" injury in an industrial part of Compton on Monday, authorities said.

Homicide detectives responded to the 500 block of West Victoria Street after the discovery of a body was made shortly before 1:30 a.m., according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The victim was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner as Samantha Bustos-Vital. The girl's family contacted KTLA saying she had been missing since Friday after hanging out with friends.

According to sheriff's officials, the teen resided in an unincorporated area of Gardena and was officially reported missing by family members on Sunday.

She was found Monday after suffering a "traumatic" injury to her upper torso, the sheriff's release stated.

The area where her body was discovered is near the fenced-off Dominguez Hills Industrial Park, a portion of which was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape throughout the morning, video from the scene showed.

National Retail System is located on the property and personnel are cooperating with the investigation, according to Andy Miller, the company's executive vice president.

“I got a call early this morning that they had found a body on the perimeter of the property," Miller told KTLA. "We’re cooperating with the police in every way possible. They asked for camera footage over a period of time.”

Detectives told KTLA the girl's body was found face down and concealed in bushes.

Coroner's officials have ruled her death a homicide, but the cause was being withheld due to the ongoing investigation, the Sheriff's Department said.

It is also unclear exactly how long the body was at the location before being discovered.

“They believe it happened sometime Saturday evening," Miller said.

Detectives are now trying to identify a suspect or suspects and determine a motive.

In an email to KTLA, the victim's cousin said Bustos never returned home after hanging out with friends Friday afternoon, "which is not normal behavior." She didn't answer her cellphone, which was shut off after midnight, according to the cousin.

The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for Bustos' funeral costs.

No additional details have been released amid the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by dialing 800-222-8477, or visiting the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Human-trafficking crackdown: 510 arrested, 56 rescued in California

By Jovana Lara

Los Angeles - More than 500 suspects were arrested and 56 people were rescued during a statewide human-trafficking crackdown, officials said.

The Los Angeles County Regional Human Trafficking Task Forces announced the arrests of 510 suspects during the three-day sweep, called Operation Reclaim and Rebuild.

During the operation, which took place between Jan. 25 and 27, the task force said 45 adults and 11 girls were rescued.

Among the 510 suspects arrested, 30 are suspected traffickers and 178 are alleged "johns."

The task force is housed by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and is a collaboration of more than 85 federal, state, county and local law enforcement and non-profit community organizations.

Speaking at a Tuesday press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell gave details surrounding some of the arrests.

In one very disturbing incident in Milpitas, California, a man dressed in full police uniform - including a side arm - was arrested on felony charges after he sexually assaulted a human-trafficking victim, McDonnell said. The suspect was found to be already on felony probation and wanted by police for additional, similar crimes.

The sheriff said the operation targeted those who use the internet to exploit victims. In one such instance, McDonnell said an undercover deputy posing as a young female on social media was contacted by a suspect, who recruited her to work for him in the commercial sex trade.

After arranging a meeting, the pimp drove from Riverside County to meet with his victim. He demanded $500 from the victim for him to manage her. The suspect would collect the money from the customers and give the victim whatever he decided she needed. McDonnell said the suspect was arrested by task force detectives and found to be in possession of a stolen .357 Magnum handgun.

The task force was established in November 2015 and since that time, 948 suspects have been arrested in connection to human trafficking.


The Los Angeles-based non-profit Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking is providing help, including shelter and food, to the victims rescued during the operation.