Law enforcement officials arrested three people during a human trafficking sting in Northern California in late January, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.
The sheriff’s Anti Sex and Labor Trafficking task force, or ASALT, along with the Stanislaus County Human Exploitation and Trafficking task force, or HEAT, as well as other local agencies targeted suspected traffickers at the end of January, the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Five traffic stops were carried out Jan. 29, and three suspects were arrested on suspicion of felony kidnapping, evading and robbery, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct related to prostitution.
Sheriff’s officials said two victims were rescued during the operation, an adult and a juvenile.
One of the victims was a 17-year-old who had been reported missing out of Southern California. Investigators learned the victim had been sexually exploited, authorities said.
The victim was spotted jumping from a moving vehicle at a truck stop near Charter Way and Navy Drive in Stockton. Law enforcement intervened, and a helicopter was used to apprehend the suspect’s vehicle during a nine-mile pursuit.
Authorities arrested Carl Price, 33. He was booked into jail on suspicion of felony kidnapping, robbery evading. He remains in custody, according to jail records, with bail set at $250,000.