San Jose man accused of sex trafficking East Palo Alto girl found in trunk

SAN JOSE – San Jose police announced an arrest Monday in a human trafficking case involving a young East Palo Alto girl who was found in the trunk of a car earlier this year .

According to police, the young girl was reported missing on February 25.

Exactly one month later, on March 25, East Palo Alto detectives and San Jose officers found her in the trunk of a vehicle at a San Jose home.

“The minor survivor was held against her will, threatened and forced to engage in commercial sex acts in exchange for money by an adult suspect,” police said in a statement.

Detectives were able to identify a suspect. On April 20, police arrested the suspect during an unrelated traffic stop.

Police said the suspect fled his vehicle and was arrested following a foot pursuit. Officers were also able to locate a privately made firearm, or ghost gun, at the scene.

The suspect, identified as Jolaun Canton, 22, of San Jose, was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of eluding police and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. fire. Canton was also charged with child sex trafficking after detectives with the Human Trafficking Task Force and the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office were notified.

According to jail records, Canton is being held without bond.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Reyes of the department's Special Victims Unit Human Trafficking Task Force by email or by calling 408-537-1999.