Seven people were arrested during a “John” prostitution operation in Lake Elsinore on Oct. 22, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station Special Enforcement Team worked with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force to conduct the operation, which aimed to reduce the demand for sex trafficking in Lake Elsinore, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The operation resulted in the arrest of seven people for prostitution-related offenses. Those arrested were identified as:
- Abraham Reyes, 25, of Perris
- Daniel Felix, 22, of Lake Elsinore
- Duston Schafer, 37, of Perris
- Rafael Espinoza, 20, of Perris
- Victo Divas Cruz, 43, of Wildomar
- Fernando Orozco, 43, of Corona
- Erasmo Morales, 34, of Menifee
Authorities also identified a potential victim and provided the person with victim services and resources, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office did not release additional details about the individual.
The Sheriff’s Office said the Lake Elsinore Station Special Enforcement Team intends to disrupt and dismantle sex trafficking rings operating within its Riverside County jurisdiction. The team also aims to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office cited an estimate from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that one in six endangered runaways reported to the organization are likely victims of sex trafficking.
Anyone with additional information about the operation is encouraged to contact Deputy Liebzeit at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951-245-3300.
Anyone who has been a victim of human trafficking, or knows someone who has, can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 888-373-7888 or local law enforcement.
