CA Trafficking Sting Nets 547; 11 Children Among 177 Victims Rescued

CALIFORNIA — Law enforcement up and down the Golden State arrested nearly 550 people in connection with a week-long human trafficking sting, authorities announced Tuesday in Los Angeles.

In the process, police rescued 11 children and 166 adults believed to be the victims of human trafficking. The operation dubbed “Operation Reclaim & Rebuild," involved 107 law enforcement agencies and numerous advocacy groups, authorities announced at a press conference in Downtown Los Angeles Tuesday.

The operation is a statewide initiative focused on rescuing victims of sexual slavery and human trafficking and disrupting the trade by arresting suspected customers and traffickers. The operation was conducted Jan. 26 through Saturday.

"Human traffickers are essentially modern-day slave masters who should be on clear notice that we will find them, arrest them, prosecute them, and seek maximum time behind bars for their despicable acts of preying on young girls and boys," said Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Nochman. "This is not a threat but a promise. Every case stemming from this operation presented to our office’s Human Sex Trafficking Section will be thoroughly reviewed for filing consideration. Our fight against this injustice is unwavering, and we will continue to stand firm until human trafficking is eradicated from our streets."

The arrests come during National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The press conference in Downtown Los Angles took place on Figueroa Street, one of the most notorious child-sex trafficking hubs in the nation.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, 333 suspected exploiters were arrested. The 11 minors rescued from possible exploiters were placed in protective custody and will receive support from the Department of Children and Family Services, authorities announced.

“While we gather today to discuss the successful efforts of the LAPD and the 103 other dedicated law enforcement agencies from Northern and Southern California, the true success should be measured by what these numbers represent - a future restored and a victory for justice,” said LAPD Chief of Police Jim McDonnell.

“In just this 7-day period, LAPD efforts resulted in 205 arrests. Specifically, our actions saved one 14-year-old, three 15-year-olds, one 16-year-old, and two 17-year-olds from lives that were being exploited by abuse and danger. These results underscore that when law enforcement, government agencies, advocacy groups, and community members join forces, we can make a difference.”

Arrests were made up and down the state with the FBI, California Highway Patrol, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force, Napa County Sheriff's Department and San Francisco Police Department.

Among those arrested during the operation were:

• Jamaree Javanglyn Beckly, 24: Beckl was charged with one felony count of human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act; and one felony count of pandering an adult. Beckly has pleaded not guilty to both charges. If convicted, Beckly faces a maximum sentence of 13 years and four months in prison.

• William Dixon III, 31,, Dvon Davonte Langhaslip, 33, and Osborne Brown , 34: They are charged with one felony count each of pandering by encouraging. They each pleaded not guilty. If convicted as charged Dixon faces seven years in prison; Langhaslip faces six years in prison; and Brown faces 12 years in prison.
• Albert Walker, 34: Walker was charged with one felony count of pimping. Walker pleaded not guilty and was ordered to stay away from the Figueroa Corridor and the alleged victim. If convicted as charged, Walker faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Additional Figueroa Corridor trafficking arrestees recently announced include:

• Derran Adkins, 27: Adkins was charged with one felony count of human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act by force, fear, fraud, or threat of injury; and one felony count of human trafficking of an adult. He also faces allegations of personal infliction of great bodily injury during the commission of these offenses. He faces a third strike sentence on the current charges based on his prior felony convictions. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. If convicted as charged, he faces 70 years to life, plus 20 years in state prison.
• Fabian Gilbert, 20: Gilbert was charged in with one felony count of pandering and one count of felony possession of a firearm by a felon. He faces a special allegation of committing a new felony offense while out on bail. Gilbert pleaded not guilty to both charges. If convicted as charged Gilbert faces eight years, eight months in prison.
• Kevin Thomas, 25: Thomas was charged with one felony count of pandering. He also faces an allegation of having a prior conviction for a serious or violent felony. Thomas pleaded not guilty. If convicted as charged he faces 12 years in prison.