Information from a Bay Area police department helped the Turlock Police Department rescue a possible juvenile human trafficking victim and arrest the suspected trafficker.
On Wednesday, the Turlock Police Department’s special investigations unit was contacted by the Santa Clara Police Department about a juvenile who was potentially being trafficked in the Turlock region.
“The juvenile was considered to be high risk based on the circumstances in the missing person report,” said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Parmley.
The investigators immediately began collaborating with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department in an attempt to locate the juvenile, who was believed to be located somewhere within the city of Turlock or surrounding area.
On Thursday, investigators were able to pinpoint the location of the human trafficking victim, in the 100 block of North Tully Road, and safely rescued the juvenile, Parmley said.
“Through the course of the two-day investigation, investigators and detectives worked tirelessly to locate the whereabouts of the juvenile victim,” Parmley said.
In addition to finding the suspected victim, investigators interviewed Angelo Gabriel Fuentes, 22, of Hayward, who was found at the scene with the victim. Parmley said additional evidence was located indicative of the victim being trafficked and Fuentes was placed under arrest.
He was transported and booked at the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of human trafficking, child cruelty, furnishing marijuana to a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The juvenile victim was released to Child Protective Services and arrangements are being made to safely return the victim home, Parmley said.
If you believe someone is a victim of human trafficking, contact your local police department or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888, by text at 233733, TTY: 711, or https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information regarding this on-going investigation to call Investigator Monica Maschal at (209) 664-7347. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.
