File # Multiple

Details:

On June 19, 2023, the Moreno Valley Station, Problem Oriented Policing (POP), Gang Team, and Robbery Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) along with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) conducted a comprehensive “John” prostitution sting in an effort to reduce the demand for sex trafficking in the city of Moreno Valley. The operation resulted in 10 persons who were arrested for prostitution related offenses. Additionally, one potential victim was identified and provided victim services and resources.

Prostitution is not a victimless crime. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one in six endangered runaways reported are likely victims of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking victims are often subjected not only to severe forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker, but are also frequently physically and sexually assaulted by those that solicit them for prostitution. Moreno Valley Station POP, Gang, and Robbery Burglary Suppression teams, along with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, seek to disrupt and dismantle sex trafficking rings operating within Riverside County and will aggressively identify, pursue and apprehend those who seek to exploit those who are most vulnerable. They will also proactively work to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers.

If you, or anyone you know has been a victim of human trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or contact your local law enforcement department.

Anyone with questions about this operation can contact Deputy P. Mercado or Deputy V. Godoy of the Moreno Valley Station POP Team at (951)-486-6700.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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File # MV230240045

Details:

On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, the Moreno Valley Station‘s Problem Oriented Policing team (POP), Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), and Gang team, along with the Riverside County Anti Human Trafficking team (RCAHT), conducted a Prostitution Demand Reduction operation in the city of Moreno Valley. Over the course of this operation, 12 males and 3 females were arrested for soliciting sex acts. The investigation revealed the females were sex workers who were offered resources to assist them in getting out of this dangerous lifestyle.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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File # Multiple

Details:

Throughout the month of June, leading up to July 4, 2022, members of the Coachella Community Action Team (CCAT), with the assistance of the Southern Coachella Valley Community Service District Team (SCVCSDT), the La Quinta Special Enforcement Team (SET), and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Device Team (HDT), conducted an operation which targeted the illegal sale of dangerous fireworks. The operation netted a total weight of approximately 1,800 pounds of illegal fireworks and one illegally carried handgun.

The following subjects were arrested and booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in the city of Indio:

• Leon Hernandez, 20 of Coachella, for possession of over 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks, and sale and transportation of dangerous fireworks.
• Eulises Cardenas, 35 of Indio, for of possession of over 1000 pounds of dangerous fireworks, and sale and transportation of dangerous fireworks.
• Xavier Gutierrez, 21 of Coachella, for possession of a concealed firearm, possession of high-capacity magazines, possession of over 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks, and sale and transportation of dangerous fireworks.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Nevins or Deputy Molina with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (760)863-8990, or Crime Stoppers at (760)341-STOP (7867).

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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File # LA221810012

Details:

On Tuesday, June 30, 2022, members of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) and the La Quinta Special Enforcement Team (SET) conducted a sex trafficking operation supported by the city of La Quinta.

RCAHT and La Quinta SET members operated in an undercover capacity, placed decoy advertisements on several popular classified advertisement websites commonly used for the solicitation of online prostitution. These same task force members then responded to prospective customers replying to these prostitution advertisements. After an agreement for paid sex acts, these “Johns” were then arrested upon their arrival at a pre-determined meeting location.

As a result of this enforcement effort, a total of 12 men and 1 woman were arrested on misdemeanor prostitution charges. Those arrested were identified as follows:

• Omar Ignacio Cruzcruz, 44 of Indio
• Hugo Heriberto Rodriguez, 59 of Cathedral City
• Angel Wilberto Paredes 47 of Cathedral City
• Efren Monroy, 45 of Palm Springs
• Jose Daniel Aguirree, 33 of Thermal
• Francisco Olivan Jr., 28 of Indio
• Joseph Gayton, 36 of Visalia
• Christian Ballard, 53 of Palm Desert
• David Cergol, 44 of Morongo Valley
• Jose Luis Gomez Ramos, 31 of Cathedral City
• Alejandro Talamantes Reyes, 42 of Palm Springs
• Krystal Vanessa Santibanez, 37 of Indio
• Michael Gorman, 59 of Palm Desert
• Minor male

All 13 subjects arrested were booked and released from the county jail in Indio. 1 minor subject was released to a family member.

Prostitution is not a “victimless” crime. Ninety-five percent of sex trafficking victims are women or children. Those victimized by commercial sexual exploitation frequently have long histories of emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse or trauma in their backgrounds.  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates 1 in 6 endangered runaways reported are likely victims of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking victims are often subjected not only to severe forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker but are also frequently physically and sexually assaulted by those that solicit them for prostitution.

The Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force seeks to disrupt and dismantle sex trafficking rings operating within Riverside County and will aggressively identify, pursue, and apprehend those who seek to exploit those who are most vulnerable. Through proactive enforcement operations, RCAHT works to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers.

The Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force is asking anyone with additional information to contact RCAHT Task Force Deputy Contreras at (760) 836-1600 or call anonymously at (760) 341-STOP (7867) and reference incident # R20 336 0012.

The eastern Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force was formed in March 2020 to address crimes involving the exploitation of victims via force, fraud, or coercion in the eastern half of the Coachella Valley. These cases often involve the commercial sex trafficking of children, as well as incidents of forced labor, indentured servitude, debt bondage, or slavery. The RCAHT Task Force is a multidisciplinary task force that combines the investigative resources of both local and federal law enforcement. The RCAHT Task Force also provides victim services and education/outreach through partnerships with the non-profit groups Operation Safe House, Rebirth Homes, and Million Kids.  The law enforcement component of RCAHT is currently composed of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Riverside County Probation Department, along with part-time participation of the Hemet Police Department, Riverside Police Department, and Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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File # N/A

Details:

Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, Calif. – Riverside Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers to plan ahead and celebrate the holiday safely and responsibly.

This weekend and through Monday, July 4, the Riverside Sheriff’s Department will have additional deputies on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

In 2020, nearly 500 people were killed in crashes throughout the country during the Fourth of July weekend. Of those deadly crashes, 41% involved alcohol.

“If you plan on drinking this weekend, plan on a safe and sober ride home “Think of your loved ones, friends, and family before thinking about driving after you’ve had a few drinks.”

According to AAA Southern California, more than five million Californians will travel over the 4th of July holiday. With most traveling by car, allow extra time to get to your destination.

While some festivities may include alcohol, driving under the influence also includes impairment from prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana. Do your research and be informed about how certain drugs may affect your driving ability. 

If you are hosting friends and family for barbecues and watching fireworks shows, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. If you see people leaving who have been drinking, offer to have them stay the night or make arrangements for them to take a sober ride home.

If you see someone who appears impaired or driving recklessly, call 9-1-1.

Click or tap here to enter text. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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The Riverside County Sheriff’s department recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that make roads unsafe.

These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other traffic violation by bike riders or pedestrians.

The safety of bicyclists and pedestrians remains a top priority for the Riverside County Sheriff’s department. So far this year, the Riverside County Sheriff’s department has investigated 12 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians.

To keep you and your family safe, the Riverside County Sheriff’s department offers the following tips when out biking, driving or walking:

PEDESTRIANS

Only cross at marked crosswalks or intersections with a stop sign or signal.

Look for cars backing up.

Avoid going between parked cars.

Make eye contact with drivers.

Don’t assume they see you.

Wear bright clothing during the day and use a flashlight when walking at night.

DRIVERS

Wait for pedestrians to cross the street.

Be courteous and patient.

Stay off the phone.

No speeding. Speed limits are not suggestions.

Look for pedestrians when backing up, turning at intersections or entering/exiting shopping centers.

BICYCLISTS

Always wear a helmet. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 18.

Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department | Contributed

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As a result of these compliance checks, it was found that one registrant was out of compliance and he had moved from his last registered address. A criminal investigation is being conducted into his current whereabouts and charges will be filed with the District Attorney’s Office.

Twenty subjects were contacted and found to be in compliance with their sex offender registration.

The Cabazon Sheriff’s Station will continue to monitor and conduct random compliance checks of all registered sex offenders within these communities.

The Cabazon Sheriff’s Station is asking anyone with information regarding this operation to contact investigators at (951) 922-7100.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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In the beginning of May, deputies assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Stations Problem Oriented Policing Team received information regarding a possible illegal marijuana cultivation occurring in the unincorporated area of Lake Elsinore.

On May 27, 2020, at the direction of Sheriff Chad Bianco, deputies served a search warrant in the 17600 Black of Brightman Avenue. The entire residence was transformed using common building materials into a marijuana cultivation site. The electrical system within the residence had been illegally altered causing a severe fire hazard. Southern California Edison Company responded to the residence and turned the power off to the residence due to the illegal wiring throughout the residence. Approximately 1329 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were located during the search warrant.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Meissen at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station (951) 245-3300.

As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.

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In the beginning of May, deputies assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Stations Problem Oriented Policing Team received complaints from the community of Rancho La Laguna, regarding a possible illegal marijuana cultivation occurring within the unincorporated area of Lake Elsinore.

On May 20, 2020, at the direction of Sheriff Chad Bianco, deputies served a search warrant in the 30900 block of Via Lakistas. The entire residence was transformed using common building materials into a marijuana cultivation site. Approximately eight-hundred marijuana plants in various stages of growth were located and the electrical system within the residence had been illegally altered causing a severe fire hazard. Southern California Edison Company responded to the residence and determined approximately $20,000 in electricity was stolen. Southern California Edison turned the power off to the residence due to the illegal wiring throughout the residence.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Beaudet at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station (951) 245-3300.

As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Search: Grow Operation

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