14 people have been arrested in connection with a human trafficking case at Comic-Con 2024
2 august 2024 в 03:37
Fourteen people were arrested as a result of an investigation into human trafficking that took place at Comic-Con in San Diego in 2024, according to a press release from the California Attorney General’s office. Ten people were rescued. The arrests were made by a special human trafficking task force in San Diego three days before the annual convention. The group reported that among the rescued victims was a 16-year-old teenager.
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office issued a statement on the investigation, saying: «Unfortunately, human traffickers use large-scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit. These arrests send a clear message to potential criminals that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated».
The Attorney General’s office added that law enforcement «worked undercover as sex buyers to identify and reach out to potential human trafficking victims and arrest their traffickers».
«As a result of the three-day operation, 14 sex buyers were arrested, nine adult potential trafficking victims were rescued and offered services, and one 16-year-old minor was rescued», - the statement concluded.
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez noted that «there is no more insidious crime than human trafficking», - according to various sources.
«Coercion and violence that enslave people for profit and force them to work forcibly or in sex are criminal», - Martinez added. «As sheriff, I support the efforts of all our justice partners in holding the guilty accountable. I appreciate the efforts that were made at the last convention to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking».
Comic-Con takes place annually at the San Diego Convention Center. The convention usually gathers over 100,000 comic and pop culture fans to participate in various shows, celebrity meetings, and other themed events.
Additional details about the 14 suspects were not disclosed at the time of publication.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1−800−656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, impartial support, as well as local resources to help with healing, recovery, etc
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office issued a statement on the investigation, saying: «Unfortunately, human traffickers use large-scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit. These arrests send a clear message to potential criminals that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated».
The Attorney General’s office added that law enforcement «worked undercover as sex buyers to identify and reach out to potential human trafficking victims and arrest their traffickers».
«As a result of the three-day operation, 14 sex buyers were arrested, nine adult potential trafficking victims were rescued and offered services, and one 16-year-old minor was rescued», - the statement concluded.
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez noted that «there is no more insidious crime than human trafficking», - according to various sources.
«Coercion and violence that enslave people for profit and force them to work forcibly or in sex are criminal», - Martinez added. «As sheriff, I support the efforts of all our justice partners in holding the guilty accountable. I appreciate the efforts that were made at the last convention to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking».
Comic-Con takes place annually at the San Diego Convention Center. The convention usually gathers over 100,000 comic and pop culture fans to participate in various shows, celebrity meetings, and other themed events.
Additional details about the 14 suspects were not disclosed at the time of publication.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1−800−656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, impartial support, as well as local resources to help with healing, recovery, etc
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