San Diego, CA — A human trafficking sting spearheaded by the San Diego Human Trafficking Taskforce (SDHTTF) resulted in 14 arrests and the recovery of 10 victims attending the Comic-Con Convention, authorities stated on July 30.
Attorney General Rob Bonta appointed the SDHTTF to recover victims of sex trafficking and target sex buyers that use the San Diego Comic-Con Convention to seek out potential victims. A 16-year-old girl was found among the victims during the sting operation.
The Comic-Con convention has gained international recognition as one of the largest comic book and pop culture events attracting more than 100,000 attendees to San Diego annually.
Bonta said the sting operation was a step in the right direction and served as a warning to sex buyers and potential perpetrators. The task force implemented a three-day sting operation from July 25 through the 27 with law enforcement personnel working as undercover sex buyers to identify and contact potential victims and arrest their traffickers.
“Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large-scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit,” said Bonta. “These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated.
San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez appreciated the task force for identifying and rescuing victims of human trafficking at the convention.
“There is no more insidious crime than human trafficking,” said Sheriff Martinez. “The coercion and violence which enslaves people for profit and places them into forced labor or sex is criminal. As the Sheriff, I support the efforts of all our justice partners in holding perpetrators accountable.”
