Attorney General Bonta Unmasks the Faces Behind Sexual Exploitation, Announces Result of Operation Trick R Treat

SACRAMENTO — As a key participating member of the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (SRHTTF), California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the results of the 5th Annual Operation Trick R Treat to combat the purchasing of commercial sex, and ultimately, human trafficking. Through 17 operations conducted by SRHTTF along with 12 other participating agencies, between October 19 and October 31, 42 sex buyers were arrested, 7 additional arrests made for other human trafficking related violations, and 27 victims were recovered.

“The California Department of Justice is committed to protecting individuals against sex trafficking networks that seek to exploit them, and we will continue to support survivors who have been manipulated by these systems” said Attorney General Bonta. “My office will not tolerate those who engage in sexual exploitation and enable human trafficking. I am thankful for the joint efforts of our local law enforcement agencies and partner organizations, who through this operation, have once again shown all we can accomplish for our communities when we work side by side.”

“Human trafficking is a serious issue that requires a coordinated response," said Sacramento Police Department Interim Chief Zachary Bales. "Operation Trick R Treat is a great example of what we can accomplish when law enforcement agencies and community partners work together toward a common goal. I'm proud of the work our officers and partners have done to hold offenders accountable, protect vulnerable individuals, and connect victims with the support they need."

“Operation Trick R Treat shows the power of regional collaboration when law enforcement and community partners unite with a shared mission,” said Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho. “Human trafficking is a predatory crime that crosses every jurisdictional line. Our office remains steadfast in strengthening the partnerships necessary to pursue those who exploit others and to protect the safety of our communities.”

Operation Trick R Treat is part of a broader regional strategy determined to tackle sexual exploitation and human trafficking by addressing the demand for commercial sex services. It includes strategic enforcement based on the monitoring of identified locations and the mobilization of undercover officers. 

This announcement demonstrates the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) commitment to dismantling human trafficking systems through the specialized efforts of the SRHTTF, San Diego Human Trafficking Force, and the Fresno Human Trafficking/Sexual Predator Apprehension Team. SRHTTF is a collaborative effort comprised of DOJ, Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Sacramento Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Homeland Security Investigations. 

DOJ’s Human Trafficking Task Forces have worked relentlessly to investigate, identify, and recover victims who have been exploited for profit and gain by sexual predators and human traffickers. Since 2021, the DOJ has made 1,235 arrests and recovered and supported 1,248 victims. Human Trafficking is the exploitation by force, fraud, fear, or coercion of vulnerable individuals for forced labor, domestic servitude, or commercial sex services.

DOJ Victims’ Service Unit (VSU) works together with victim service providers and all others across California to provide victim-focused, trauma-aware, and culturally sensitive support to all crime victims, including vulnerable, at-risk, undeserved, and marginalized populations. More information about VSU can be found at oag.ca.gov/victimservices or by calling (877) 433-9069 or visiting oag.ca.gov/victimservices/contact. 

If you or someone you know is being coerced to take part in any activity and cannot leave, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to get help and services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. More information and resources to assist survivors of human trafficking is available at https://oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking.