Full Notification

DATE/TIME: January 24, 25 and 26th, 2019

INCIDENT: Operation Reclaim and Rebuild

LOCATION: Cities of San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Hesperia

SUSPECT(S): Multiple

VICTIM(S): Confidential

SUMMARY:
In conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force participated in the fifth annual ‘Operation Reclaim and Rebuild’ enforcement operation, organized by the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. More than 90 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and task forces from across California participated.

The three-day, statewide effort aimed at combatting human trafficking, took place between Thursday, January 24, and Saturday, January 26, 2019, and was conducted in various mediums and met with positive results. Over the three day period, the San Bernardino County Task Force conducted enforcement operations consisting of 2-3 operational phases per day. Operations were conducted throughout the county and specifically within the cities of San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Hesperia. Specific areas were selected for enforcement by investigators, due to the high volume of activity and advertisements directly related to the commercial sex trafficking industry. The operations consisted of street level enforcement, on-line advertisements enforcement and a search warrant served at a high desert location, determined to be a commercial brothel.

At the end of the operational period, San Bernardino County Task Force members had successfully arrested 45 suspects for various violations associated with prostitution and/or other crimes. Of those arrests, one suspect who was contacted at an Ontario motel, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance while in possession of multiple and illegal firearms. During the operation, investigators also identified and successfully rescued 4 adult victims of commercial sex trafficking.

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 Police Department, Ontario Police Department, Redlands Police Department, California State Parole, San Bernardino Unified School District Police, Office of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Task Force efforts during the operation were also supported by participating officers from the San Bernardino County Probation Department, as well as victim support and services provided by the Open Door Program of San Bernardino. Open Door – Family Assistance Program is a non- profit organization that supports victims of human trafficking within the County of San Bernardino. The Open Door Program empowers families, victims, and survivors who have been affected by human trafficking and/or sexual exploitation by providing the opportunity to heal and transform their lives. (www.familyassist.org)

Anyone wishing to report activities or concerns related to Human Trafficking to the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force can do so directly by calling (909) 387-8400 or by Email at [email protected]. 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: Sgt. M. O'Brien

Station: Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division

Phone No. (909) 387-8400

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department