Ventura police arrest suspected human trafficker, rescue victim

Ventura police arrested two people Tuesday in connection to a human trafficking investigation that occurred at a hotel in Ventura.

According to a press release from the Ventura Police Department, officers responded to a report of a woman being held against her will in a hotel room at the hotel on the 5800 block of Valentine Rd.

Officers located the suspect vehicle and suspect, identified as 23-year-old Demarea Williams.

Officers then made contact with the the victim and determined that the woman was a victim of Human Sex Trafficking.

The victim was being held against her will at the hotel and was forced to have sex with various men for money with the proceeds going to Williams.

The victim had apparently been trafficked along the coast of California as well as into Arizona and Texas.

During the course of the investigation a female associate of Williams was on scene yelling at the victim, calling her names and threatening her if she cooperated with police.

Officers attempted to arrest the woman for dissuading the victim and during her arrest she resisted. She has been identified as Monay Lewis, 21.

Williams was arrested and faces possible charges for Pimping, Pandering, and Human Trafficking.

Lewis was arrested and could face charges for Dissuading a Victim and Resisting/Delaying Officers.