A massive sex trafficking sting operation led to the arrest of people, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said Monday. Deputies also rescued two teenagers who were forced into prostitution. During the two-day operation, the sheriff's office said deputies posed as undercover buyers and sellers and others involved in trafficking. The focus, along with making arrests, was also to rescue children being forced into prostitution.
Video shared by the sheriff's office showed women pretending to be sex workers luring people toward motels. Once they got close enough, deputies would burst out of the motel doors and apprehend them. In some cases, people tried running, but deputies could be seen coming out of parked vehicles and promptly tackling them to the ground. Using drones and surveillance footage, officers would also know identify people and drivers involved in trafficking and also arrest them.
The sheriff's office said during the operation, deputies rescued two year-old teens who are now receiving care and services to help them transition to a healthier environment. You can find the full list of people arrested in the news release here. The sheriff's office in recent years has been ramping up its efforts to crack down on trafficking.
KCRA 3 Investigates spent a year talking to survivors, advocates, lawmakers and law enforcement about the changes they think need to be made to see improvement. Find our full documentary and online coverage here. There has also been legislation in recent years to try to address the crime.
In , a bill was signed into law that would make it a serious felony to sell a minor for sex. Also signed in was a bill that no longer makes it illegal to loiter for prostitution.
