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Tag Archives: human trafficking

Local organizations join the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force

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Ronnetta Johnson, director of Community Service Programs (CSP) Victim Assistance Programs & Dispute Resolution Services, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, Irvine Deputy Police Chief Mike Hamel, Orange County Transportation Authority Chairman and Mayor Pro Tem of Irvine Jeffrey Lalloway, Lita Mercado, program director for Community Service Programs (CSP) Victim Assistance Programs, Orange County Transportation Authority CEO Darrell Johnson, Orange County Assistant Sheriff Lee Trujillo, and Anaheim Deputy Chief Julian Harvey

Ronnetta Johnson, of CSP, OCDA Tony Rackauckas, Irvine Deputy Police Chief Mike Hamel, OCTA Chair and Mayor Pro Tem of Irvine Jeffrey Lalloway, Lita Mercado, of CSP, OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson, OC Assistant Sheriff Lee Trujillo, and Anaheim Deputy Chief Julian Harvey

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: 2015 HUMAN TRAFFICKING REPORT DOCUMENTS WHAT SURVIVORS OF SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING WANT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO UNDERSTAND

In Conjunction with Anaheim Police Department, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force Issues Call to Action to Train More Sworn Officers to Curtail Human Slavery; Task Force also Launches Faith-Based Advisory Council to Assist Survivors with Every Day Needs

SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 20, 2015 — Every victim removed from a dangerous human trafficking situation is cause for celebration, as overwhelmingly evident in the victims’ own words about these heinous crimes and captured in the latest report from the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF).

The 2015 Human Trafficking Victim Report also documents the successful evolution of the OCHTTF into a fully operational multijurisdictional task force. Although fewer reports of human trafficking were documented during this transition, the more than 80 partners comprising the OCHTTF now have the coordinated structure and systems in place to better identify, investigate, prosecute and provide services to human trafficking survivors. Continue reading→

Judith Ware to sponsor anti-prostitution OCDA rally at Chapman University

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Judy Ware

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 20, 2014

JUDITH WARE, OF WARE DISPOSAL, TO SPONSOR “BE-WARE OF H.E.A.T.” LUNCHEON AT 2ND ANNUAL “KEEP CALM AND BEAT H.E.A.T. ROCKING & RALLY”

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) are pleased to announce that Judith Ware and Ware Disposal Company, Inc. (Ware Disposal) will sponsor the “Be-Ware of H.E.A.T.” luncheon at the 2nd annual “Keep Calm and Beat H.E.A.T. Rocking and Rally” at Chapman University. The luncheon will feature elected officials, dignitaries, VIP guests, and a question and answer session with three brave human trafficking survivors.

Ware Disposal

Ware Disposal’s operations in Orange County provide vital services to homes, schools, businesses, and government facilities. Ware Disposal is committed to lessening their carbon footprint, running a fleet of 100 compressed natural gas trash hauling trucks. The central focus at Ware Disposal is making communities cleaner, safer, and stronger. The family-owned company embraces the opportunity to be a good corporate citizen and is involved in local community and business organizations in addition to making donations and offering support services to a variety of local events. Continue reading→

ODCA fundraising online to end modern day slavery

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Beat the Heat

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 3, 2014

THE ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, ORANGE COUNTY HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE, AND CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY LAUNCH ONLINE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO END MODERN DAY SLAVERY

*Please consider contributing on Indiegogo

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA), the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF), and Chapman University are pleased to announce the launch of their online fundraising campaign with the world’s most established crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo, for the 2nd Annual “Keep Calm and Beat H.E.A.T. Rocking & Rally” on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at Chapman University.

The event will increase community awareness of human exploitation and trafficking, the second largest criminal enterprise in the nation, behind narcotics trafficking, that nets approximately $32 billion a year. A free rock concert will immediately follow with Stan Frazier and Murphy Karges of Sugar Ray. Elected officials, law enforcement, non-profits, private law firms, businesses, and private citizens have all donated to this cause and support is growing. To make a donation of any amount and to join the cause, please visit http://igg.me/at/beatheat. Continue reading→

O.C. agencies unite to combat human trafficking

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OC Public Agencies

O.C. Agencies Unite to Combat Human Trafficking

WHAT: Orange County law enforcement, transportation officials and the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force will hold a joint news conference to discuss the growing problem of human trafficking and efforts to put an end to the crime through strict enforcement and community partnerships.

The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, which was founded and is currently administrated by nonprofit organization Community Service Programs, will release its 2014 Human Trafficking Victim Report. A key finding is that the number of perpetrators of human trafficking crimes in Orange County doubled between 2011 and 2013. On average, eight new human trafficking victims are identified each month in Orange County and nearly half of all victims are minors. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man charged with human trafficking, pimping and selling pot

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OCDA Seal

Ronald Preston Spurlock, 36, of Santa Ana was charged today and is expected to be arraigned this afternoon on one felony count of human trafficking, five felony counts of pimping, five felony counts of pandering a victim over 18, two felony counts of sale or transportation of marijuana, one felony count of possession of marijuana for sale, and one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon for a 2008 prior conviction in San Bernardino, according to the Orange County District Attorney. Continue reading→

Sheriff Hutchens is committed to fighting human trafficking

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OC Sheriff Badge

NEWS,  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

Sheriff Hutchens Committed to Dedicating Resources to Combat Human Trafficking

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (February 26, 2014) – Law enforcement continues to see a trend involving Human Trafficking in Orange County. Human Trafficking involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation purposes or commercial gain. Victims are often sexually exploited or involved in forced labor arrangements. Human Trafficking is a violation of a person’s human rights and manifests itself in our modern day lives. Sheriff Hutchens is committed to ongoing efforts to support operations that will positively impact the fight against Human Trafficking. Continue reading→

Human trafficking and domestic abuse workshop set for Jan. 11 at the Library

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Santa Ana Library Human Trafficking meeting

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: SANTA ANA PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENTS SURVIVAL! INFORMATION AND RESOURCE WORKSHOP: HUMAN TRAFFICKING / DOMESTIC ABUSE

SANTA ANA, CA (January 2, 2014) – President Barack Obama has proclaimed January as “National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month”. On January 11th, the Santa Ana Public Library will present an information and resource workshop on Human Trafficking and Domestic Abuse.

Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. Every year, thousands of men, women and children go missing, or are subject to domestic abuse. Understanding the victims of human trafficking and abuse is important to helping them restore their lives. Continue reading→

Saudi Princess posts $5 million bail after being arrested for human trafficking

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Meshael Alayban

Orange County District Attorney Media Advisory
For Immediate Release, Case # 13HF0020: July 11, 2013

WHO: Meshael Alayban, 42

WHAT: A Saudi Arabian princess has posted $5 million bail and will be released from the Orange County Jail. The defendant has surrendered her passport, is required to wear a GPS tracking device, is prohibited from leaving Orange County without permission from the Court, and is barred from having any contact with the victim. Alayban is charged with one felony count of human trafficking of a Kenyan woman into the United States and forcing the victim to work as a domestic servant against her will in the first forced labor human trafficking case to be prosecuted in Orange County under California’s Proposition 35. Continue reading→

Saudi Arabian Princess in Irvine charged with Human Trafficking under Prop. 35

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Meshael Alayban

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13HF0020: July 10, 2013

SAUDI ARABIAN PRINCESS CHARGED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR FORCING KENYAN WOMAN TO WORK AS DOMESTIC SERVANT AGAINST HER WILL

*This is the first case of forced labor human trafficking to be prosecuted in Orange County under Prop 35

SANTA ANA – A Saudi Arabian Princess has been charged with human trafficking of a Kenyan woman into the United States and forcing the victim to work as a domestic servant against her will in the first forced labor human trafficking case to be prosecuted in Orange County under California’s Proposition 35 (Prop 35). Meshael Alayban, 42, is charged with one felony count of human trafficking and faces a maximum sentence of 12 years if convicted. Based on the fact that the defendant poses a serious flight risk, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office requested Alayban be held without bail at a bail hearing today. Based on the law, the court set bail at $5 million and ordered terms for the defendant if she posts bail including the surrender of her passport, no travel outside of Orange County without approval from the court, and a GPS tracking device be worn at all times. Continue reading→

Man busted by the SAPD to be arraigned for sex trafficking and pimping

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OCDA Seal

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0801: June 3, 2013

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF FEMALE VICTIM AND PIMPING HER AND TWO OTHERS AFTER POSTING AD ON SEX WEBSITE

*Defendant was arrested in undercover sting operation

SANTA ANA – A man arrested in an undercover sting operation will be arraigned tomorrow for sexually trafficking one woman and pimping three women for financial gain after advertising the victims on a sex website. Harvey Rashad McNight, 29, San Diego, is charged with one felony count of human trafficking, three felony counts of pimping, and three felony counts of pandering by procuring. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 28 years in state prison. McNight is being held on $150,000 bail and is scheduled for a post-preliminary hearing arraignment tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

OCDA declares war on pimps and other human traffickers

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana, Women 2 Comments

Tony Rackauckas

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: April 26, 2013

OCDA TO PUT THEIR “HEAT” ON SLAVE-OWNER PERPS

*DA Rackauckas introduces new Unit to combat human exploitation and trafficking

SANTA ANA – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas announced today at the Victims’ Rights March and Rally a new unit to prosecute Human Exploitation And Trafficking (HEAT) cases. Orange County is a diverse melting-pot with a large ethnic population, multiple tourist attractions, and is surrounded by large, urban counties, which has made it susceptible to human traffickers. Human trafficking cases have recently increased in Orange County, with many cases involving underage victims and/or brothels. The new Unit was created to deal with this increasing problem. Continue reading→

Pimp to be arraigned under new Prop. 34 anti human trafficking law

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OrangeCounty_DA_logo 

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13WF0628: March 28, 2013

PIMP TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR FORCIBLE SEX TRAFFICKING OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN FIRST ORANGE COUNTY PROPOSITION 35 CASE

*Co-defendant prostitute is charged with recruiting and trafficking the victim

WESTMINSTER – A pimp accused of forcing a 14-year-old girl into prostitution will be arraigned tomorrow as the first defendant to be charged in Orange County with forcible human trafficking of a minor under Proposition 35 (Prop 35). Chuncey Tarae Garcia, 33, is charged with one felony count each of human trafficking of a minor by force or fear, pimping a minor, and forcible rape, with sentencing enhancement allegations for forcible rape of a minor 14 years of age and prior prison convictions for possession for sale of cocaine in 2007 and transportation of cocaine in 2009. If convicted, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 28 years to life in state prison. He is being held on $1 million bail. Continue reading→

O.C. D.A. receives award for stopping fraudulent massage school transcripts

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney
Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

OCDA TONY RACKAUCKAS RECEIVES ‘2011 HEROES OF THE PROFESSION’ AWARD FOR HIS EFFORT IN PASSING ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas was awarded today, along with California State Senator Lou Correa and the California Massage Therapy Council, the 2011 Heroes of the Profession award by Massage Today for their support and effort in passing California Senate Bill (SB) 285, the anti-human trafficking legislation that makes it a misdemeanor to sell fraudulent and false massage school transcripts. Continue reading→

Human trafficking interpreter training on Feb. 26, in Santa Ana

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The Salvation Army Network of Emergency Trafficking Services

Human Trafficking Interpreter Training

Are you bilingual? Are you willing to use your language ability to help a victim of human trafficking? Are you willing to be trained? If yes, then we need your help.

The purpose of the training is to build a “Language Bank” of trained interpreters who volunteer their time to help the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force in assisting victims of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking exists in each of our ethnic communities in Orange County and it is happening in your community as well. It is just hidden beneath the surface and we need you to join the team. We are currently training bilingual people to join our team of interpreters.

The trainings will be on Saturday, February 26
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: CSP, Inc. Corporate Office
1821 E. Dyer Rd. Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Training will provide bilingual volunteers with:

  • Basic knowledge of human trafficking and why it exists in your community
  • How to properly conduct an interpreting session to ensure accurate communication
  • How to manage communication flow between the client and provider
  • How to maintain proper boundaries when interacting with difficult subject matters and potentially traumatized clients
  • Issues of confidentiality and introduction to ongoing volunteer training and support
  • Opportunities to learn and improve human trafficking terminology
  • Opportunities to practice your interpreting skills

If you would like to be part of our team, please fill out the attached application and return it before February 12, 2011.

Space is limited and we will notify you if you have been selected. All questions and application submission are to be sent
to Jennifer Garcia, jgarcia@cspinc.org

IMPORTANT NOTE: All languages are appreciated and needed, but we are especially looking for Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Indonesian, Korean, Thai and Arabic. Volunteers must be able to work during the day.

This training is made possible from the Office of Victims of Crime through Grant number 2008-40478-CA-VT

Doctora Ana Nogales launches a new magazine – Salud, Psicología & Vida

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Dr. Ana Nogales is launching a new product – “Doctora Ana: Salud, Psicología & Vida” – an online and published magazine to educate and entertain Latino families.

The mission of Doctora Ana, Salud, Psicología & Vida is to offer bilingual information via a multimedia experience to enrich, engage and entertain the Latina family with topics of health, lifestyle and wellness.

Casa de la Familia is hosting an open house to showcase the magazine and Nogales will also be working with a very informal focus group. This short meeting will take place on Friday February 18, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:00 at 1650 E. 4th Street, Suite 101, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Casa de la Familia is inviting professionals and influential members of the community. They are going to be serving brunch and all participants will receive a token of appreciation for their time.

A native of Argentina, Dr. Nogales is one of the most well-known and respected Latinas in the United States. Through her private practice, media presence, books, and organizational leadership, she has dedicated herself to ensuring the mental health and success of women, Latinos, and anyone else who struggles with cultural and personal issues, victimization, and inequality.

After immigrating to the United States in 1979, Dr. Nogales completed her doctorate degree in psychology at the United States International University in San Diego. She then went on to open her own private practice in 1982 in both Los Angeles and Orange Counties. As a clinical psychologist and founder of Nogales Psychological Counseling, Inc., she is deeply committed to helping members of the Latino community improve their personal relationships and emotional health, as well as adjust to and thrive in the complex multi-cultural environment in which they live.

Dr. Nogales is the founder and Clinical Director of the nonprofit organization, Casa de la Familia, which she established for victims of crimes such as human trafficking, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, child sexual, and physical abuse. She currently supervises a clinical staff of forty mental health professionals. This organization has a program called Promotores de Salud Mental, which is dedicated to the outreach and engagement of mental health for the Latino community, and is sponsored by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Contact: Andrea Coulson

Director of Community Outreach – Promotoras
Casa de la Familia
714-925-2559 cell
1650 E. 4th Street, #101, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 667-5220
3550 Wilshire Blvd., #670, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 384-7848