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San Diego, California – Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed Assembly Bill 379 into law, strengthening California’s efforts to combat human trafficking and protect minors from sexual exploitation. Co-sponsored by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and County District Attorney Summer Stephan, this legislative update addresses rising concerns about increased street-level trafficking following earlier legal reforms. […]

SACRAMENTO, California — Governor Gavin Newsom has approved legislation focused on tougher consequences for those who solicit minors for sex. The new measure—commonly called the bill on solicitation of minors—elevates the offense to felony status under specific circumstances and imposes additional sanctions for related conduct. Key Provisions and Related Laws Context and Legislative Background This

San Diego, California – As thousands of fans head to San Diego for the globally renowned Comic-Con, California officials are taking the opportunity to raise awareness about a critical issue—human trafficking. In a joint effort, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Comic-Con International launched a campaign to educate the public and provide practical resources to fight

Santa Cruz, California – A new report by the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury highlights a troubling truth: human trafficking in Santa Cruz is widespread but severely underreported. Despite its peaceful coastal location, the county faces serious challenges similar to those across California, where thousands become victims of modern-day slavery every year. The June

Sacramento, California – California lawmakers are intensifying their efforts to combat child sex trafficking by advancing legislation that would increase penalties for adults who exploit minors. The new measure, Assembly Bill 379, aims to close a critical legal gap and strengthen protections for vulnerable teens nationwide. Lawmakers Advance Key Anti-Trafficking Bill On Monday, the California

San Bernardino, California — A coordinated five-day operation targeting human trafficking and prostitution across San Bernardino County has led to 32 arrests, according to local law enforcement authorities. Dubbed Operation Disrupt the Demand, the effort was led by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Gangs/Narcotics Division. It included support from the San Bernardino Police Department,

Oakland, California — A 32-year-old Oakland man has been sentenced to a decade in state prison after pleading no contest to human trafficking of a minor and illegal firearm possession while out on pretrial release, according to court documents. In April, Algernon Steen accepted a plea deal resolving both charges. He will serve his sentence

San Diego, California — A major human trafficking operation known as “Operation Coast to Coast” resulted in 74 arrests and the recovery of 98 victims across 19 states. The California Department of Justice reported that coordinated efforts occurred in San Diego and Sacramento. The coordinated effort, conducted on May 29, involved over 150 law enforcement

San Diego, California — Michael James Pratt, the founder of a now-defunct adult website based in California, pleaded guilty to federal sex trafficking charges last Thursday, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice. Pratt, 42, appeared in a San Diego courtroom nearly three years after his arrest in Madrid. Once featured on the FBI’s

Sacramento, California — In the wake of Foster Care Awareness Month in May, California is re-committing to efforts aimed at improving outcomes for children in foster care by launching a series of new programs and funding allocations. State officials reaffirmed their commitment to keeping foster youth connected with family and community. The California Department of