Marin Anti-Trafficking Operation Nets 2 Arrests

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Two Marin County residents were recently arrested during a multi-agency operation, the San Rafael Police Department announced Thursday.

The arrests took place during "Operation Cross Country," part of a national FBI initiative that coordinates anti-human trafficking efforts on the federal, state, and local level. According to SRPD, the local operation was focused on identifying and arresting suspects who attempted to pay for sex with people they believed to be minors, along with finding and rescuing victims of child sex trafficking.

According to police, the suspects responded to ads posted on the internet by investigators.

Police allege both men arranged via phone calls or texts to engage in sex acts in exchange for money. Investigators said one man arrived after agreeing to meet with someone he thought was a minor, and the second man arranged to meet with an adult for sex.

Police identified the first suspect as Simeon Ramirez-Lopez, 25, of San Rafael, who officers allege believed was speaking with a 15-year-old. The second man was identified as Fredy Paxtor, 48, of Greenbrae. The latter man was released on a citation, accused of "arranging to meet an adult with the intent to engage in sex."

For the other part of the operation, investigators met a female in the Vacaville area they believed was a minor who was intending to perform sexual acts for payment, but they determined she was an adult and not working against her will. Police provided the woman with resources and released her.

The operation included members from the San Rafael Police Department, Marin County Sheriff's Office, Novato Police Department, Central Marin Police Authority, Marin County District Attorney's Office and the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center.