Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE

WHAT: Arrest for Human Trafficking

WHERE: City of San Luis Obispo

WHEN: October 5th, 2018

DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Lieutenant John Bledsoe

On Friday October 5th, 2018 at approximately 1:40 am, a San Luis Obispo Police Officer conducted a traffic stop for vehicle code violations in the 3000 block of Broad. The vehicle was being driven by 35-year-old Lucion Banks out of Sacramento. Also in the vehicle was a 14-year old female passenger out of Oakland, Ca. During the car stop the officer discovered Banks had a suspended California drivers license as well as a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. Both Banks and his passenger denied being related and had no clear story of why they were in San Luis Obispo. Banks was subsequently arrested for the warrant and driving on a suspended license.

After Bank’s arrest, follow up investigation revealed Banks was involved in the Human Trafficking and Pimping of the 14-year-old female who was the passenger in his vehicle. Items of clothing, wigs, condoms, and cellular phone data led San Luis Obispo Police Detectives to believe Banks was currently trafficking this victim. The 14-year-old victim was later turned over to Child Welfare Services after Banks arrest. Banks was later charged with Human Trafficking and Pimping. He was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail and his bail was set at one million dollars.