Los Angeles man arrested for luring Ventura County minors for sexual purposes over social media

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - The Ventura County Sheriff's Office arrested a Los Angeles man after their investigation revealed inappropriate interactions between him and multiple minors.

From July through September, detectives with the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit received tips that a man was believed to have been in communication with 17-and 15-year-old girls who lived in Ventura County.

The man allegedly used a social media platform to lure the girls into sending him sexual pictures for money and even engage in sexual intercourse.

During their investigation, detectives identified a 20-year-old Los Angeles man as the suspect. A search warrant was acquired and served at the man's home at the 700 block of Oakford Drive in Los Angeles on Sept. 17. There, he was arrested on charges of luring a minor for sexual purposes. The man was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura.

While children stay home and surf the internet much more often during the pandemic, they are even more vulnerable to being contacted by adult predators and traffickers on social media.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office advises parents to monitor their children's social media accounts to ensure they are not being targeted. Parents should contact law enforcement if they find evidence of explicit communication on their child’s electronic device.

If you believe you are a victim or know a victim of human trafficking, you are urged to contact “211” or local law enforcement immediately.