Full Notification

DATE/TIME:  October 30, 2019/4:30 am
 
INCIDENT:   Human Trafficking of a Minor
 
LOCATION: 500 Block of N. F St. San Bernardino
 
SUSPECT(S): #1- Peter Castillo, 30 year old resident of Los Angeles
                        #2- Johnette Terrell, 18 year old resident of Los Angeles
 
VICTIM:        Confidendial - 15 year old female, resident of Los Angeles
 
 
SUMMARY:
On Wednesday, October 30, 2019, investigators from the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force responded to a request from San Bernardino Police Officers regarding the contact of a possible victim of human trafficking. Officers indicated they contacted two females and a male during a traffic stop near the intersection of 6^th St. and F St. in San Bernardino and identified one of the females as a 15 year old runaway from Los Angeles County. All three subjects were detained and transported back to the San Bernardino Police Station for additional investigation and interviews. Task Force Members met with the officers at the station and assumed the investigation. During the interviews with all three subjects, investigators discovered information that supported the juvenile’s involvement in prostitution and as a victim of human trafficking. Through continued interviews, Task Force investigators were able to confirm her identity and the circumstances that lead her into being controlled by her traffickers, and ultimately her exploitation.  Investigators also found information/evidence, establishing that the victim had been forced to participate in prostituion on behalf of Castillo and Terrell. The victim was rescued, offered immediate services and resources, then safely returned to her family.
 
Upon concluding the interviews, Castillo was transported Central Detention Center for booking, while Terrell was transported to West Valley Detention Center for booking. Both were booked for felony violations related to Human Trafficking of a Minor. Castillo is being held in lieu of $550,000 bail and a No Bail violation related to him being arrested while out on bail for a prior San Bernardino County charge for Human Trafficking. Terrell is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.
 
The San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force is made up investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office, Ontario Police Department, Redlands Police Department, California State Parole, Office of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
 
This investigation is ongoing. Investigators believe there are other unidentified victims related to this case and are asking 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. J. Gonzalez and Dep. G. Deloria
 
Station:         San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force
 
Phone No.    (909) 387-8400
 
Case No.      621900303
 
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department