15 suspects arrested and 5 victims identified in Riverside County's anti-human trafficking program

Operation to combat human trafficking

June 16, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on June 12, 2024, Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Office deputies The station's police task force, in conjunction with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT), conducted an extensive “John” prostitution operation to reduce the demand for sex trafficking in the city from Lake Elsinore. The operation resulted in the arrest of the 15 suspects listed below for prostitution-related offenses. Additionally, five potential victims were identified and victim services/resources were provided.

• Travis Blancarte, resident of Hemet, 42 years old
• Brandon Santiago, 36, Menifee resident
• Blair Gilliard, 33, resident of Lake Elsinore
• Joshua Fetterolf, 25, Lake Elsinore resident
• José Zavala, 32, resident of Riverside
• Loren Pharris, 51, Murrieta resident
• Bryan Williams, 32, Upland resident
• Sergio Gonzalez, 39, resident of Perris
• Baltes Dhaliwal, 42, Temecula resident
• Matthew Campbell, 34, resident of Lake Elsinore
• José Gonzalez, 26, resident of Corona
• Menifee resident Uriel Flores, 23
• José Romero, 28, resident of Pomona
• Lloyd Mcardle, 70, resident of Lake Elsinore
• Shelton Hill, 52, resident of Lake Elsinore

Prostitution is not a victimless crime. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one in six reported missing runaways are likely victims of sex trafficking. Victims of sex trafficking are often subjected not only to severe forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker, but are also physically and sexually assaulted by those who solicit them for prostitution. Lake Elsinore Station SET deputies intend to disrupt and dismantle sex trafficking rings operating in Riverside County and will aggressively identify, pursue and apprehend those who seek to exploit vulnerable victims. SET will also proactively work to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Castro or Deputy Costin at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station (951) 245-3300.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of human trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at (888) 373-7888 or contact your local trafficking department. 'law application. As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report any criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling the Sheriff's Dispatch at (951) 776-1099 or by calling 911 if it involves an emergency.

Deputy rapporteur: Sergeant Jarrod Meissen

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Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office