Seven people were arrested in a multi-agency operation targeting child sexual assault in San Luis Obispo

Author: District Attorney


Date: May 21, 2024 12:00:47 p.m

The District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Attorney General’s Office announce seven arrests as part of an undercover operation targeting child sexual assaults in San Luis Obispo.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office today announced the arrests of seven suspects as part of a three-day, multi-agency operation targeting human traffickers and child sexual abusers.

The operation took place from May 15 to 17, 2024 and targeted adults seeking to sexually exploit children and sex trafficking victims using undercover agents and detectives located on various social media platforms and websites that frequently used by criminals, posing as minors.

“The human trafficking of children and adults for sex or labor is not ignored or overlooked here in San Luis Obispo County,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “The San Luis Obispo County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force continues to aggressively pursue traffickers and potential buyers of children or adults for the purpose of exploitation. I am grateful to the California Department of Justice for their outstanding cooperation with our local authorities in apprehending these seven individuals who attempted to exploit vulnerable children in our county.”

“This operation reminds us once again that we must remain vigilant against those who would harm our most valuable and vulnerable resource, our children,” said Sheriff Ian Parkinson. “I am extremely grateful for the collaboration between the California Department of Justice, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office units, namely the Special Operations Unit, which ultimately led to these arrests. Together.” “We have taken a decisive step to protect our community.”

“Let me be clear: Using the Internet to solicit children for sex is a reprehensible and despicable crime,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “If you persecute our children, we will hold you accountable. I am deeply grateful to our partners in San Luis Obispo for their efforts to ensure the safety of our children. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect the people of our state. Together we can create a safer future for all vulnerable people who rightly deserve protection, freedom and justice.”

The suspects are accused of crimes such as contact with minors with the intent to have sex, attempted indecency with a child and sending harmful content with the intent to seduce minors. All seven suspects were arrested on the aforementioned charges and booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office will lead the prosecution.

It is important to note that criminal allegations must be proven in court by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If you or someone you know is being forced into an activity and cannot leave, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 for help and services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. For more information and resources to support survivors of human trafficking, click here.

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819.

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