Florida man arrested by SLO County human trafficking team for stalking, witness intimidation in addition to prior human trafficking charges
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. - The San Luis Obispo County Counter Human Traffic Team flew out to Florida this month to arrest a man on a $750,000 arrest warrant related to prior human trafficking allegations.
The Florida man was originally arrested on April 28, 2020, on suspicion of statutory rape, but he bailed out of custody.
Further investigation led to additional criminal charges being filed against the man for suspicion of human trafficking of a minor and the possession, production and distribution of child pornography.
Those revelations led a judge to raise the man's bail to $150,000 from the original $45,000 amount.
The man posted for bail again on May 20 and returned to the Florida community.
It was later determined by investigators that the man had violated the criminal protective order put in place by the judge in this case but due to his location in Florida he was unable to be contacted.
The man was finally arrested again on Nov. 2 when the SLO County Human Traffic Team traveled to Florida and arrested him on an outstanding $750,000 arrest warrant issued by the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
The SLO County Sheriff's Office said this warrant stemmed from new charges against the man related to stalking and witness intimidation.
The man was booked in Palm Beach County, Florida where he awaits further court proceedings.
The sheriff's office said they anticipate the Florida man will be returned to San Luis Obispo County to continue court proceedings related to the underlying human trafficking case and the more recent intimidation and stalking charges.
