Richmond man convicted under new Calif. sex trafficking law April 22, 2026, Bay Area (KRON) — A Richmond man who hired a minor for sex in exchange for money became the first person convicted in Contra Costa County under a new California law that targets sex buyers, according to the district attorney’s office. Cedric Demarcus Kelly, 37, pleaded guilty in court Wednesday to one count of engaging or agreeing to engage in prostitution with a minor, prosecutors said. The victim was a 16-year-old girl. “The case is notable in that it was prosecuted under an amendment to Penal Code 647b,

The Soroptimist International of Big Bear Valley recently sponsored a powerful and timely presentation at Big Bear High School, featuring Opal Singleton, CEO of Million Kids. Singleton, a nationally recognized expert on sex trafficking and the online exploitation of minors, has authored several books on the subject and travels extensively to educate communities about the risks facing youth in today’s digitally connected world. During her presentation, Singleton addressed approximately 700 students, focusing on how young people can be targeted and lured into trafficking situations through social media platforms, online gaming, and other digital channels. She also discussed tactics such as manipulation, grooming, and extortion, offering

A 21-year-old man suspected in a sex trafficking case was arrested Wednesday after authorities located him with a missing 14-year-old girl inside a Santa Ana motel room, officials said. According to a public advisory from the Santa Ana Police Department, officers assisted a Human Trafficking Task Force made up of U.S. Marshals and Los Angeles Police Department teams in the search for the teen, who had been reported missing out of San Diego and was believed to be a victim of sex trafficking. The investigation led task force members to the California Lodge in the 2900 block of South Bristol

Good afternoon, El Cajon man who attempted to traffick 14-year-old girl sentenced to 20 years March 27, 2026, San Diego County Steven Terrell Lewis, 40, was sentenced to 19.5 years in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a 14-year-old high school student and attempted sex trafficking by force or coercion of a 22-year-old woman. Lewis was convicted by a jury on May 2, 2025. Lewis drove up the 14-year-old girl in April 2024 while she was walking to a friend’s home in El Cajon, used his vehicle to block her path on the sidewalk and forcibly grabbed her cellphone

The events included a community awareness walk, speaker presentations by a survivor advocate and FBI agent, a Q & A session, as well as a freeway digital billboard for January In addition, prior to event, a human trafficking awareness workshop was held with the Girl Scouts to earn a badge. The workshop was presented by two Ventura police detectives.  A request for another workshop on human trafficking awareness is now being organized in May for the Thousand Oaks Girl Scouts.  We are approaching the Family Harmony agency, who works with foster children and parents, to do an awareness presentation.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced 37 missing children were found during Operation “Safe Return” in Riverside County. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) partnered with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) in the coordinated effort, which also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects. Operation Safe Return focused on locating the most at-risk missing children by investigating cases entered into the law enforcement database known as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).  Every child deserves to be safe, protected, and given the chance to live their life free from exploitation. California will continue to

Terry and some other Soroptimists spent a week at the UN in New York City. Terry, along with Michelle Strausser and Terri Weter, attended the Secretary General’s Town Hall meeting today. You can see a recording of this meeting below. You can see many of the sessions on the UN Website.

Child exploitation cases surge in OC, victims getting younger Quas and Xiao call for urgent response as technology-fueled crisis targets middle schoolers March 2, 2026 Reports of commercial sexual exploitation of minors have skyrocketed 700% over the past decade in Orange County, especially non-trafficking exploitation, according to a new policy brief from UC Irvine researchers. Exploitation cases are not only increasing dramatically but also affecting younger children and a broader demographic than previously thought, challenging long-held assumptions about who is at risk, says Jodi Quas, professor of psychology and co-author of the policy brief with research scientist Nan Xiao. “The average age of non-trafficking

By Alex Riggins Union-Tribune A San Diego federal judge has ordered Michael James Pratt, the imprisoned owner of the now-defunct, San Diego-based website GirlsDoPorn, to pay $75.6 million in restitution to more than 100 women whom Pratt and his co-conspirators tricked and coerced into appearing in pornographic videos as part of a yearslong trafficking scheme. Pratt, 43, was sentenced in September to 27 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit the same crime. Prison records showed he is currently serving his term

To Register: https://www.gcwj.org/ensure-justice-2026

Soroptimists from six Southern California clubs, joined by Governor Bonnie, donned their blue attire at Vanguard University for the 4th annual Know More, Do Better 4.0 conference in Costa Mesa, CA. Organized by the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force and the OC Department of Education, students from 3 unified school districts, represented by over 30 middle schools, participated in a multi-faceted event. Presentations by near-peers from the Live2Free club of Vanguard and Higher Ground in Anaheim detailed how human trafficking can and does happen … anywhere. Human Trafficking survivor and lived-experience expert Martha Trujillo closed out the formal presentation

Soroptimists from several clubs in Southern California volunteer for the first South Orange County Know More Do Better education event for middle school and high school students on Thursday, January 22nd. Soroptimists staff the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force table, quizzing students with questions about red flags in relationships, social media and gaming cautions, sextortion and other issues. In collaboration with Saddleback College, I-5 Freedom Network, SI Capo Bay, Higher Ground and Live2Free, students enjoyed a dynamic presentation by near peers, followed by lunch and a resource fair.

South Orange County launches middle school education to teach kids about online red flags, child exploitation and human trafficking.

An event you won’t want to miss!