02-08-2025
13 arrested in Southern California prostitution bust
Thirteen people were arrested during a prostitution bust in Riverside County.
The operation targeted online prostitution and the suspects who sought the illicit services.
The bust took place on July 30 and involved officers with the Murrieta Police Department and the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.
Thirteen male suspects were taken into custody for the alleged solicitation of prostitution:
Christopher Ruckel, 20, Temecula
Benjamin Narlock, 22, Temecula
Alexis Bravo-Reyes, 23, Long Beach
Edwardo Taamilo, 23, Murrieta
Jose Ambriz-Gomez, 27, Ontario
Alexis Escamilla, 27, Hemet
Jarvis Ashmore, 28, Temecula
Casey Gonzalez, 29, Wildomar
Oscar Iraheta, 30, Menifee
Stephen Johnson, 38, Murrieta
Jason Wilson, 43, Temecula
Jeffrey Hoffman, 52, Menifee
Mark Robinson, 59, Winchester
'The operation focused on rescuing victims of sexual slavery and human trafficking, identifying and arresting their captors, and disrupting demand for these vulnerable victims,' said Murrieta police officials. 'Prostitution is not a 'victimless' crime. Human trafficking is the second-largest criminal enterprise in the world. Ninety-five percent of sex trafficking victims are women or children. Those victimized by commercial sexual exploitation frequently have long histories of emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse or trauma in their backgrounds.'
No further details were released as the case remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information can call Sergeant Jay Elliott or Corporal Jason Jones at 951-304-2677.
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