A 17-year-old girl was rescued from human trafficking in Ventura County, California, after she was able to text for help in Spanish. The messages were translated to English by the Sheriff's Communication Center.
According to multiple sources, including the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and KTLA news, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on May 9, 2024.
The girl had been trafficked into California from Mexico roughly two months prior to her rescue. She was able to text messages for help in Spanish, which were received by the Sheriff's Communication Center.
Deputies were dispatched to the Casitas Springs area based on the information provided in the texts and were able to locate and rescue the girl within 20 minutes.
The suspect, identified as Gerardo Cruz, a 31-year-old Mexican national, was arrested on charges of human trafficking, forcible rape, lewd acts upon a child, luring and sexual penetration with force.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office began allowing people to reach 911 dispatchers via text in 2021. The change was intended to make emergency dispatch services more accessible to people with speech impairments or those in emergency situations who cannot make phone calls, such as victims of domestic abuse.
The girl is currently being evaluated and transferred to Ventura County Child Family Services until she can be reunited with her family.
This incident highlights the importance of being aware of human trafficking and the resources available to those in need. If you suspect human trafficking or have information about potential victims, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.
