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San Diego Holiday Sting Rescues 19, Arrests 4 Alleged Pimps in Motel Raids

A tougher California law taking effect Jan. 1 increases penalties for purchasing sex from minors.

Overview

  • The three‑day operation ran December 10–12 across motels in San Diego, Chula Vista and National City under the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force.
  • Undercover officers posed as sex buyers to identify traffickers and recover victims during the coordinated, multi‑agency effort.
  • Authorities reported 10 people were arrested or cited, including a registered sex offender, with six alleged buyers issued misdemeanor citations.
  • Four suspects were arrested on pimping and pandering charges and face potential sentences of up to 20 years if convicted.
  • Support advocates were deployed to connect survivors to services, as officials cite a local sex trade valued at roughly $810 million yearly and note 65 rescues in this operation over four years.