Full Notification

DATE/TIME: July 6, 2021/8:00am
 
INCIDENT: Human Trafficking of Minor/Missing Juvenile Victim Rescued
 
LOCATION: 1700 Block of Valley Blvd. Fontana, Ca
 
SUSPECT(S): Unidentified Adult Male and Female
 
VICTIM(S): Confidential-  17-year old female juvenile resident of Florida
 
 
SUMMARY: On Sunday, May 9, 2021 at about 7:30 am, San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force investigators received information from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, indicating a 17-year old juvenile victim was asking for help to escape her traffickers. The victim had contacted employees at the front lobby of the hotel, telling them she was being held and forced to prostitute herself at the direction of an unidentified adult male and female suspects. She was in fear for her safety and was aware the two suspects were there looking for her to make her leave with them. Deputies from the Fontana Sheriff's Station along with Fontana Police Officers assisted, and immediately responded to the location to contact and secure the victim's safety. Upon their arrival, officers located the victim but were unable to locate the suspects who had left prior to their arrival. Human Trafficking investigators responded to the location and assumed the investigation. During their contact with the victim, investigators confirmed she has been a Missing Juvenile from the state of Florida since January 2021. Investigators were also able to determine the victim had been brought to California by the suspects with the intention of exploiting her in the commercialized sex industry. The victim indicated she had been both physically and emotionally abused by the suspects while being forced to perform acts of prostitution on their behalf. Fortunately, the victim took the first opportunity to escape the suspects and contact hotel employees for help. Investigators provided the victim with access to medical care, resources and assistance in getting her safely returned to her family in Florida.
 
UPDATE - July 8, 2021
 
Through continued investigation, Human Trafficking investigators were able to identify Kenneth Hill as a suspected trafficker involved in this case. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Hill in the amount of $750,000 for Felony Human Trafficking of a Minor Victim. On July 6, 2021 at about 8:00 am, Hill was located by Task Force members in the City of Moreno Valley and taken into custody witout incident. He was transported and booked into San Bernardino Cental Dentention Center pending court proceedings.
 
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, San Bernardino City Unified School Police Department, Office of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
 
This investigation is ongoing, and investigators believe there are other unidentified victims related to this case. They 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/Ofc. A. Sandoval
 
Station:                San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force
 
Phone No.            (909) 387-8400
 
Case No.              622100091
 
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department