FRESNO - On Friday, August 28, 2020, agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security received a tip regarding possible prostitution of a young female taking place in the area of Belmont and First. DHS agents quickly responded to the area and observed a female near Belmont and Second Street.
This female was then seen getting into a vehicle occupied by two other juveniles. DHS agents contacted the occupants of the vehicle to check on the welfare of the young female. The agents then requested assistance from the Fresno Police Department. Vice Unit detectives responded to the location and took over the investigation.
FPD Vice Unit Detectives confirmed the female juvenile was 16 years old and it appeared she was being trafficked, but there was not enough evidence at the time to make an arrest. The juvenile victim was rescued, returned to her family members, and provided resource information regarding Human Trafficking and Victim Outreach services. The other two juveniles were released from the scene after evidence was collected.
During the follow-up investigation, FPD Vice Unit detectives authored several search warrants and were able to collect electronic evidence which confirmed the 16-year-old female juvenile victim was being trafficked by the other two juveniles. Arrest warrants for both juvenile suspects were issued.
On February 22, 2021, the sixteen-year-old female suspect was arrested after she was contacted by Fresno Police officers during a call for service regarding a family disturbance. The sixteen-year-old male suspect was arrested when he arrived for his appointment with the Fresno County Juvenile Probation Department to have his ankle monitor removed. Both suspects were booked into the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Center on charges of Human Trafficking of a juvenile.
FPD Vice Unit Detectives confirmed the female juvenile was 16 years old and it appeared she was being trafficked, but there was not enough evidence at the time to make an arrest. The juvenile victim was rescued, returned to her family members, and provided resource information regarding Human Trafficking and Victim Outreach services. The other two juveniles were released from the scene after evidence was collected.
During the follow-up investigation, FPD Vice Unit detectives authored several search warrants and were able to collect electronic evidence which confirmed the 16-year-old female juvenile victim was being trafficked by the other two juveniles. Arrest warrants for both juvenile suspects were issued.
On February 22, 2021, the sixteen-year-old female suspect was arrested after she was contacted by Fresno Police officers during a call for service regarding a family disturbance. The sixteen-year-old male suspect was arrested when he arrived for his appointment with the Fresno County Juvenile Probation Department to have his ankle monitor removed. Both suspects were booked into the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Center on charges of Human Trafficking of a juvenile.