Man accused of sex trafficking teenagers. Girl, 13, previously victim, Sacramento sheriff says

A man was jailed Wednesday on charges of sex trafficking two teenage girls, including a 13-year-old, who was allegedly forced to perform sex acts on behalf of several traffickers, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said.

Police officers on patrol encountered a 13- and 16-year-old girl Tuesday, accused of engaging in prostitution, near Watt and Myrtle avenues in the North Highlands. This stretch of road is frequented by human traffickers who force their victims into prostitution, the sheriff's office said.

The suspect, an 18-year-old man, was with the two teens and told police he was “dating” the 16-year-old girl while “holding money” for the younger boy, police said. deputies. The 13-year-old was allegedly forced into prostitution just five minutes before officers approached the victims, authorities said.

The 13-year-old girl was trafficked earlier this year by couple Jacob Andrew Reyes and Itzel Anahi Medina-Nieto, the sheriff's office said. The couple was arrested in February on charges of sex trafficking the then-12-year-old girl, along with other victims, in Sacramento and the Bay Area, according to The Bee's previous report.

Both suspects are in custody and were scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for a settlement conference.

“Unfortunately, our minor has entered the cycle of victimization, which is far too common in these cases, particularly among young victims,” the deputies indicated.

Investigators arrested the 18-year-old suspect in Tuesday's case, who now faces three criminal charges of pandering, pandering and trafficking of minors.

He is being held on $1 million bail and is expected to be arraigned Friday.

The sheriff's office said the 18-year-old may have been trafficked with other victims. Residents can report information by calling the Sheriff's Office at 916-874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.

Callers may be eligible for a $1,000 reward and can remain anonymous. To leave anonymous information, call 916-874-8477.