CALIFORNIA – The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in California rescued a 17-year-old sex trafficking victim on May 9, thanks to a 911 text message, authorities said.
Around 3:30 a.m., the sheriff’s office received a text message in Spanish from a young woman asking for help. The message was translated into English and officers learned that the victim did not know her exact location.
Although the victim did not know her precise location, she was able to describe landmarks and nearby items to help the sheriff’s office find her. After exchanging information, officers were dispatched to the scene and located the victim within 20 minutes.
During the preliminary investigation, the young woman revealed that she had been trafficked from Mexico to Ventura County, California, two months ago. She also identified the suspect as Gerardo Cruz, from Veracruz, Mexico.
“We don’t know the specific route he took, but we know it was through illegal means to get here from Mexico,” Detective Chris Dyer told Ventura County. “We are trying to piece together how he got here. He went through several different people and locations”.
After meeting with the officers, the victim was evaluated and transferred to Ventura County Family and Children’s Services, where she is going to receive assistance in reuniting with her family.
Gerardo Cruz, 31 years old, was quickly located and arrested, authorities said. Detectives from the Sexual Assault Unit of the Major Crimes Bureau arraigned Cruz on multiple charges. On Monday, May 13, Cruz was arraigned in Ventura Superior Court on charges of:
- Human Traffic
- Forcible Rape
- Lewd acts with a minor
- Deceit
- Forceful intercourse
Cruz is currently in custody and his bail has been set at $500,000.
Recognizing the signs of sex trafficking in California is a step forward in combating this heinous crime. Stay informed and do not hesitate to contact the authorities if you identify possible victims of human trafficking. Women’s Rights Group is here to listen and support victims of this terrible crime. Find out here how you can get involved and help.
