Jasmin Tuffaha, KPCC
California law enforcement agencies busted a major sex trafficking operation that reached throughout the state – and to Nevada. They’ve rescued 13 female victims, including eight teens being used as prostitutes.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said the seven-month investigation showed the alleged pimps found some of the teenage victims through social media.
"They're coerced into it," McDonnell said. "They're often threatened that if you call anybody if you call the police, we'll kill your family. They'll drug them, they'll rape them."
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said it's tempting to think human trafficking doesn't happen in our own backyard.
"However, recent data from California show that 72 percent of sex trafficking victims whose country of origin was identified are American," Becerra said.
Becerra’s office will prosecute the two suspects in custody. A third suspect is still wanted.
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