Incident Date: 9/7/23

City: Visalia

Posted by: Media Relations

TCSO Human Trafficking Details Puts Nine Behind Bars, Rescues Six Victims

Over the weekend 9/7/23-9/8/23, Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Unit, along with members of the Visalia Police Department, Tulare Police Department and Merced County District Attorney’s Office, conducted a human sex trafficking detail in the Visalia area. The objective was to identify suspects who solicit women for sexual favors in exchange for money through escort services, and to also contact potential victims of human trafficking and offer services and assistance to them.

During the detail, the following men were arrested for soliciting prostitution:

Elijah Edwards - 27, Visalia

Ernest McCormick – 40, Visalia

Andrew Randolph – 41, Bakersfield

Jose Javier Rojas Herrera – 23, Visalia

Sergio Aguilera Vargas – 26, Visalia

Eddie Montelango – 23, Woodlake

Ivan Silva Guzman – 20, Visalia

Kyle Adams Peterson – 29, Visalia

Jeronimo Cortez – 31, Exeter

Tulare County Human Trafficking Detectives also rescued six women who were victims of human trafficking and served one felony warrant.

Sheriff Boudreaux has made sure the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is actively involved in the prevention of human trafficking and believes no human should be bought or sold. Detectives will continue to conduct these types of operations in the future for the safety and security of the people of Tulare County.

If you, or someone you know, is a victim of Human Trafficking, please contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218, or anonymously at Tip Now at tcso@tipnow.com or (559) 725-4194, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1(888)373-7888.