BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Twenty-three people have been arrested as a result of a Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Operation that was conducted in Bakersfield, California.
According to the DA's office, between August 9 and August 12, 2023, a multi-agency human trafficking and child exploitation undercover operation was conducted in Bakersfield by local, state, and federal law enforcement partners including:
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Kern County District Attorney Bureau of Investigation
- Bakersfield Police Department
- Kern County Sheriff's Office
- Kern County Probation Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
- United States Secret Service
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Patole Unit
- California Department of Justice, Sexual Predator Apprehension Team
- Fresno County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The DA's office said the operation led to 23 arrests on a variety of charges related to human trafficking and child exploitation including: Human Trafficking, Pimping, Pandering, Sending Harmful Material to Seduce a Minor, Arranging a Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purpose, Contact with a Minor with Intent to Commit Sexual Offense, Abduction to Live in an Illicit Relationship, and Possession of Child Pornography.
Those arrested and booked during the operation were identified as:
- Salvador Salcedo, age 56
- Daniel Hernandez, age 36
- Diego Gonzalez, age 36
- Jose Trejo, age 33
- Jasvinder Singh, age 35
- Joginder Singh, age 54
- Ronnie Germaine Wiley, age 30
- Alberto Rodriguez, age 23
- Antonio Romero Jr., age 30
- William Alfredo Perez Sandoval, age 26
- Mynor Velasquez, age 38
- Rolando Lopez, age 23
- Rajinder Pal Singh, age 54
- Michael Peter Muratalla, age 43
- Nishan Singh, age 33
- Eli Robert Wilson, age 29
- Rickie Travon Walker, age 40
- Devon Paul Taylor, age 31
- Joshua Jermira Johnson, age 38
- Karnail Singh, age 44
- Christopher Lee Grinner, age 36
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented on the success of the operation stating, "Maintaining a strong law enforcement presence in social media dating apps, and physical locations where human trafficking is known to occur is an important element of suppressing human trafficking. The success of this operation shows the commitment of law enforcement to combating human trafficking and child exploitation and offers a glimpse into how prevalent these horrific crimes are within our state."
Bakersfield Police Department Chief Greg Terry said, "These types of operations are vital to the safety of our children and families. Even though it is largely hidden from view, human trafficking occurs in our community. There is no typical victim, but they are often our most vulnerable community members. The perpetrators of these serious and violent crimes will be held accountable for their actions."
Homeland Security Investigations Central Valley HSI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Ciapas said, " HSI special agents worked tirelessly to protect children from exploitation by predators who are involved in the production, distribution, and possession of child pornography and who travel to engage illicit sexual conduct with minors."
Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said, "We will do whatever it takes to protect our most vulnerable. This is ongoing and there is more to come!"
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