Location: Undisclosed location in Tulare County

Incident Date: 8/3/18

Victim: State of California

City: Tulare County

Posted by: Media Relations

Sting operation leads detectives to five men trying to pay for sex

After receiving ongoing information about men soliciting underage female prostitutes for sex through known prostitution websites, Tulare County Sheriff’s Detectives set up a sting named Operation Red Rose. 

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Human Trafficking/Crimes Against Children Unit created fictitious escort advertisements on known prostitution websites to lure adult men into meeting with an underage female decoy for sex. 

On Aug. 3, 2018, detectives set up decoy advertisements from a 15-year-old female and an 18-year-old female.

During Operation Red Rose, our decoys communicated with nearly 50 men, who negotiated prices and adult services. More than 1,100 text messages were exchanged between undercover detectives and men attempting to solicit underage and adult females for sex. 

Three suspects attempted to solicit the juvenile decoy and they are still under investigation. 

Ultimately, Sheriff’s detectives arrested five Central Valley men for soliciting an adult decoy during Operation Red Rose. They are:

Christian Lupian, 22, of Cutler 
Gerardo Aceves, 41, of Ivanhoe 
Clinton Alston, 23, of Lemoore 
George Brock, 55, of Kingsburg 
Juan Avellaneda, 34, of Fresno 
 
“Human trafficking and prostitution are not victimless crimes,” said Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.

The Sheriff’s Office will enforce the laws to protect the innocence of Tulare County children. 

Sheriff Boudreaux asks that parents do their part to keep their children safe.

“Talk to your children,” he said. “You are the parents. Look at what your children are doing online. Be a concerned and protective parent.”

1)    Engage your children and know what they are doing.
2)    Educate your family about the dangers of the internet.
3)    Enforce the rules and hold your children accountable.
 
“Speak to your children,” he said. “Ask the difficult questions.”

Please contact law enforcement if you discover anything suspicious or need advice.

“We are here for you,” Sheriff Boudreaux said.
 
Anyone with information about human trafficking is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously through our TipNow Program at (559) 725-4194or tcso@tipnow.com.