San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force

 

In Yucca Valley Investigation of

Suspected Juvenile Labor Trafficking

 

Tuesday, December 22, 2020 morning, San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force were contacted by investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET). The MET investigators had served a search warrant related to the illegal cultivation of marijuana at a residence in the 8000 Block of Del Monte Ave, in Yucca Valley.      

At the time of servicing of the warrant, the MET investigators had located and detained two adults and a male juvenile at the residence. During the investigation, MET Sheriff Deputies found information and conditions causing them concern for the safety and well-being of the juvenile, and requested assistance from the SBCS Human Trafficking Task Force.      

Upon the arrival of the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force, investigators responded to the location and began an investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding the juvenile's presence at the residence. During their contact with the juvenile, they were able to determine he was from the state of New York and had been brought to the location by his grandmother approximately 3-4 months prior. He had been left to live with the two adults at the residence, neither of whom were related to him.

The juvenile rarely went outside the residence, neither did the boy have relatives nearby for contact. Information provided by the adults offered no additional clarity as to the juvenile's true purpose for being at the residence.      

Based upon the totality of circumstances and available information, Task Force investigators could not rule out the possibility of the juvenile being a victim of Labor Trafficking. In the best interest and safety of the juvenile, Task Force investigators took him into protective custody, then transported and safely released him to social workers at the San Bernardino County Department of Children and Family Services.  


For a Juvenile’s Protection:  

The San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force is made up of investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, Ontario Police Department, Redlands Police Department, California State Parole, Office of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.         

This investigation is on-going and investigators are asking that anyone with information related to this investigation, please contact the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force at 909-387-8400  

 Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME or you may leave information on the WE-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com