5 arrested, 1 suspect at large in human trafficking bust on the Central Coast
UPDATE 9:34 PM:Authorities are searching for another suspect connected to a large-scale human trafficking ring on the Central Coast.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said Alexa Margine Lopez Ortez, 46, is at large.
Authorities arrested five suspects, including a juvenile, accused of bringing women to the United States from El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico. Investigators said women were forced to have sex to pay off their debt.
Locations in Greenfield, King City and Gilroy were searched for evidence.
The investigation started after tips came in to the King City Police Department about suspicious activity.
During a news conference Thursday, Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal said sex trafficking is a growing problem.
“It’s a big money maker for people that run these rings. So you know just be vigilant and if they have any concerns or if they think anything like this is occuring in their neighborhood or their city or in the county to please call the sheriff’s office of their local police department,” said Bernal.
Three immigrant women were found in the ring.
Bernal said it will be up to the District Attorney’s office to decide whether they’ll face charges.
If you’ve seen Ortez or know about her whereabouts, you’re urged to call police.
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A large-scale human trafficking ring on the Central Coast was busted after a three month long investigation, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Five people are behind bars in connection to the case including: Jose Leonel Romero Matias, aka “Don Emilio”, 36, Simon Guevara, 43, Deybi Roman Gomez, 24, Hollman Giovanni Zelaya, 39 and a 16-year-old boy.
Those suspects, called “coyotes,” were allegedly illegally transporting female immigrants from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico and other Central American countries to the U.S. The investigation into those cases culminated on Tuesday after several homes were searched in King City, Greenfield and Gilroy.
“I think it’s devastating for any community. It reminds us that we don’t have to be in a major metropolitan area to be affected by this international tragedy,” said local immigration attorney Blanca Zaraua.
Zaraua said she often has families call her office concerned their loved one is being forced into prostitution to pay off their entrance into the United States.
“They are just really kind of paralyzed. I mean, I think most people would be. I mean, what do you do? This is not a standard crime where you can just call 911,” said Zaraua.
Investigators said at least three women were forced to perform sexual acts to pay off their debt. They also said pimps were collecting the money made and keeping half of the profits.
“I think as woman we all feel devastated that this is still going on. It’s such an extreme interpretation of exploitation,” said Zaraua.
The sheriff’s office said the two primary leaders were also selling counterfeit DVDs, for extra income. They said about 15,000 pirated DVDs worth nearly $60,000 were seized.
This was a multi-agency investigation including: Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, California State Highway Patrol, California State Parole, Gonzales Police Department, Soledad Police Department, California Department of Justice, the United Narcotics Enforcement Team and the FBI.
Search Warrant Locations:
-300 block of Ellis St., King City, CA
-100 block of 7th St., Greenfield, CA
-200 block of North 2nd St, King City, CA
-100 block of 1st St, King City, CA
-8900 block of Murray Avenue, Gilroy, CA
