The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), LA County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and the Long Beach Police Department launched a week-long anti-human trafficking operation in late January, leading to 12 juvenile victims being rescued and over 230 arrests, that include the San Fernando Valley.
“Operation Reclaim and Rebuild” – conducted Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 – is part of a statewide initiative carried out every January, which is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This year, more than 100 law enforcement agencies throughout California participated, resulting in 547 arrests – including both suspected “sexual traffickers or exploiters” and suspected “sex buyers.”
Authorities also rescued nearly 180 adults and minors believed to be human trafficking victims.
The LAPD alone – including the Valley Bureau – made 205 arrests, an increase of about 6% from 2024, said LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton.
“Of our arrests, 76 were on the Figueroa Corridor,” he said, referring to the estimated three-mile stretch of South Figueroa Street in South LA, from about 48th to 73rd streets. Hamilton noted that traffickers and sex buyers across the county often frequent the Figueroa Corridor and Sepulveda Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley, areas that historically are known for prostitution.
To help combat the widespread prevalence of human trafficking along both Sepulveda and Lankershim boulevards – including forced prostitution and labor – the LAPD launched the Valley Bureau’s Human Trafficking Task Force in 2015 to assist with anti-trafficking operations.
“We did have arrests in the LAPD Valley Bureau – we had two trafficking arrests and a number of other arrests,” Hamilton told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol. “Some were on the Sepulveda Corridor. … I want to make sure everyone understands this is a well-worn path, so it is not uncommon for us to have someone being trafficked [in South LA] and for them to see the heat of law enforcement activity and then to go to the San Fernando Valley [to try to] avoid it.
“I think what a lot of them don’t [realize] is that … we do follow people, so it is not uncommon for both of the LAPD units to work very closely together and do a handoff,” said Hamilton.
Juvenile Trafficking Victims
The juvenile suspected trafficking victims rescued included one 14 year old, three 15 year olds, one 16 year old and two 17 year olds. The minors were placed in protective custody and are currently receiving support from the LA County Department of Children and Family Services.
“These numbers represent a life reclaimed, a future restored and a victory for justice,” said Hamilton. “Behind every statistic that we’re discussing here is a person [and] every arrest and every rescue is a step closer to dismantling the networks that prey on the most vulnerable.”
Hamilton shared the story of one of those people: an 18-year-old autistic female, who was lured by a human trafficking suspect she met online. He convinced her to run away from home and move in with him. Because he had violated his parole and the victim was believed to be in danger, a team including the Valley Bureau’s Human Trafficking Task Force and other agencies quickly located and apprehended him, and returned her to her family before she was trafficked.
“Often the public isn’t aware of what goes on at night in this city” – including law enforcement officers working undercover during all hours, explained Hamilton. “In this particular investigation, the officers … [were] successful because they never gave up on this victim.”
Los Angeles DA Filing Charges
LA County District Attorney (DA) Nathan Hochman emphasized the importance of collaboration between local, state and federal authorities in tackling human trafficking.
“Every agency’s dedication in this operation highlights their unwavering resolve to prosecute these appalling crimes,” said Hochman. “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.”
Among those arrested and charged as of Feb. 4 for allegedly engaging in human sex trafficking or pandering, most are facing maximum sentences ranging from six years up to 13 years. One suspect, Derran Adkins, was charged with multiple felonies – including human trafficking of a minor for commercial sex and human trafficking of an adult – and is facing 70 years to life.
Cases being presented to the DA Office’s Human Sex Trafficking Section are being “thoroughly reviewed for filing consideration,” said Hochman, noting that additional cases are pending.
“Our fight against this injustice is unwavering, and we will continue to stand firm until human trafficking is eradicated from our streets,” added Hochman.
On Feb. 4 – the same day the LA county DA and local authorities announced the arrests from Operation Reclaim and Rebuild – the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath to explore creating a countywide human trafficking prevention coordinating body.
Collected data would be shared with county agencies and community organizations.
For assistance, call the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force at (562) 946-7960, or the LA County District Attorney Office’s Bureau of Victim Services at 1-800-380-3811.
To offer an anonymous tip, contact LA Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go to www.lacrimestoppers.org.