CSEC2009
United States US
According to the limited information online, the police investigation began "after receiving complaints from parents." Another report noted, " Authorities have been investigating the case since last summer after receiving a tip about the baby sitter's activities." On 1/28/09 the police then arrested, Aaron Zendejas. He was arrested and later plead guilty to committing a lewd act on a child and production of child pornography, and admitted an allegation that, for a couple of hundred dollars, he kidnapped the toddler in June 2008 so co- defendant Jared Yaffe could molest the boy. Zendjeas went on to plead guilty on 10/28/09 and waived his right to a trial. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison by Judge David Danielsen The victim’s mother knew Zendejas for at least 10 years, since they were both 14 years old, and trusted him with the care of her child. According to family members, she was in a time of need when she asked Zendejas to help her out. The man Zendejas admitted to selling the child to, Jared Yaffe, is accused of molesting the boy and videotaping it. Yaffe is set to go to trial in 4/19/2010. Yaffe had originally fled to Brazil, but was located and extradited by the Brazillian police in 5/09. The San Diego police searched his home and allegedly found numerous photos of children engaged in sex acts on his computer and cell phone, according to court documents. Yaffe is charged with multiple felony counts, including child sexual assault and kidnapping charges involving three children. Yaffe allegedly persuaded the toddler in the El Cajon hotel room to perform a sex act on him by promising to take the child to McDonald's. Two videos found by authorities allegedly show Yaffe molesting the boy in an El Cajon hotel room, according to court documents.Yaffe faces up to 129 years to life in prison if convicted of child molestation, kidnapping to commit sexual acts and production of child pornography.
CSEC2011
United States US
The charges are the result of "Operation Vice Grip," an 18-month investigation spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oceanside Police Department and the Escondido Police Department. Operation Vice Grip focused on prostitution activities orchestrated by members and associates of the Oceanside Crips street gang. According to court documents, in recent years this street gang has focused its for-profit criminal activity on promoting and managing prostitution in San Diego County and throughout the United States. The gang-controlled prostitution spawned a "pimping" subculture that enforced strict rules with consequences for individuals who violated them. In addition, the following agencies provided substantial assistance with the investigation - the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Carlsbad Police Department; the North County Gang Task Force; the Riverside County Sheriff's Department - Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team; and the San Diego County Jurisdictions United for Drug and Gang Enforcement (JUDGE) Task Force.
Domestic Servitude2008
United States US
Gloria Eugenia Leon-Aldana was a part of an alien smuggling operation recruiting aliens from Mexico, smuggling aliens into the United States to San Diego, and forcing labor through a series of threats including calls to Border Patrol. Her co-defendants Andres-Santos and Alonso-Terrero also threatened with physical harm to the victims and their families. Her husband, Mario Antonio Antunez Sotelo is wanted on forced-labor charges in addition to bringing in and harboring aliens for financial gain. He was arrested in December with his wife, and two others. The others are in custody, but Antunez, who was released after his arrest, is now believed to be on the run, possibly hiding in Tijuana or in the Acapulco area. Among other things, Antunez and his wife are accused of holding at least 10 immigrants in two San Diego homes. Federal agents searching one of those properties found a small bedroom crammed with six beds, and living quarters for others carved into a crawl space beneath the home with mattresses on a dirt floor. Aliens held in those homes were repeatedly threatened and the couple took their identity documents to keep them from fleeing. They were also forced to pay rent, which kept them under debt bondage. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which learned of the case through the local Mexican consulate, is working with the Mexican government in the search. Immigration and Customs spokeswoman Lauren Mack said some victims were held as long as eight months.