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Sex Trafficking in San Francisco, California (2024)

A sex trafficking case from 2024 in San Francisco, California, United States. 1 source on file.

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What happened

Federal agents broke up cyber-enabled trafficking using social media recruitment encrypted messaging and cryptocurrency Accused: Multi-state digital network.

Response and intervention

FBI Innocence Lost National Initiative. Federal indictments under TVPA. MISSSEY services.

Domestic Servitude2009

San Francisco, United States, 2009

United States US

The trafficker (Dann) arranged for the victim (Peña Canal) to travel from her native Peru to the United States in 2006 (initial contact and promises made in 2002) and enter under a fraudulently-obtained visa to serve as a nanny and housekeeper. Dann was going through a divorce at the time, was unemployed, and was not receiving child support. Once Peña Canal arrived, Dann kept her passport, forbade her from speaking with anyone outside the home, and failed to pay her for two years, although she often promised that she would. She repeatedly threatened to send Peña Canal back to Peru; and yet when Peña Canal agreed to go home, Dann told her that she would owe her $8,000 because she had only worked off $7,000 of the $15,000 worth of “expenses” that Dann had paid on her behalf. Dann eventually asked Peña Canal to sign a false statement that she had been paid minimum wage. Dann never returned Peña Canal’s passport or Peruvian identification. A police officer testified that he went to the apartment on Peña Canal’s behalf to ask for these papers. Dann was not present but called him back later. She denied having any documents, denied knowing what he was talking about, and denied having any property that belonged to PeñaCanal. In June of 2008, ICE agents searched Dann’s apartment. They found Peña Canal’s passport, her Peruvian identification card, and checks for a bank account in her name, along with the agreement that Dann had forced her to sign about minimum wage, all buried under clothing in a drawer in Dann’s room.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Forced Labor2010

Stevenson St. between 6th and 7th streets, United States, 2010

United States US

Just noticed today. rows and rows of sewing machines locked inside a building with no windows and door is gated inside with gray metal doors on the outside. Mostly Chinese women are working there. And just around the corner is the Appellate Court and the Federal Building.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Domestic Servitude2011

San Francisco, California, United States, 2011

United States US

A couple lured a Brazilian woman (who the wife knew as the victim was a childhood friend) to the U.S. by offering her free lodging at their home and work as the family’s housekeeper and nanny for $1,500 a month with the promise of pursuing a nursing degree and a better life for her and her son. However, once the victim began working, her traffickers took her passport from her, withheld pay and food, was physically attacked by the wife, and was sexually molested by the husband. The traffickers claimed to have immunity and therefore any accusation made by the victim against them would be fruitless.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016