Full Notification

DATE/TIME: December 22, 2020/9:00 am
 
INCIDENT:   Suspicion of Juvenile Labor Trafficking
 
LOCATION: 8000 Block of Del Monte Ave. Yucca Valley, Ca
 
SUSPECT(S): Unknown
 
VICTIM:      Confidential - 11-year-old male, resident of the State of New York
 
 
SUMMARY:
On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 9:00 am, investigators from the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force were contacted by investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET). 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. During the service of the warrant, MET investigators had located and detained two adults and a male juvenile at the residence. During the investigation, MET deputies found information and conditions causing them concern for the safety and well-being of the juvenile, and requested assistance from the Human Trafficking Task Force. 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, and had no 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.
 
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 ongoing 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.
 
 
Refer:              Dep. D. McDermott/Sgt. M. O'Brien
 
Station:            San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force
 
Phone No.       (909) 387-8400
 
Case No.         622000351
 
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department