Tag Archive for: DA Summer Stephan

In Photo: Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder today presented San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan with the Scripps President’s Award.

DA Stephan Receives Scripps President’s Award for Efforts to Help Reduce Hospital Violence

Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder today presented San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan with the Scripps President’s Award for her leadership and partnership in efforts to help reduce crimes involving workplace violence against hospital workers across the region.

The award is the nonprofit health system’s highest honor for distinguished service to patients, physicians and staff at Scripps and to the broader community. DA Stephan has played a pivotal role in the growth of the San Diego Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force and in prosecuting criminal cases that have come forward since the group began in mid-2023.

“We are deeply grateful to DA Stephan for championing the important work of our regional Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force,” Van Gorder said. “Her leadership is helping us continually improve the way we protect and bring justice for frontline health care workers all across San Diego County.”

A former police officer and a retired reserve assistant sheriff, Van Gorder initiated the San Diego Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force as violent incidents in Scripps’ hospitals grew more common. With strong support from DA Stephan, the group has gradually grown to include leaders from various hospitals and health systems from throughout San Diego County, the DA’s Office, San Diego City Attorney’s office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, various regional police departments and others. The DA’s Office has put in place a special unit to handle hospital violence cases.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive the Scripps President’s Award and to stand alongside President Chris Van Gorder and our hospital partners in sending a clear message that violence against health care workers will not be tolerated,” said DA Stephan. “Our nation and region have seen an alarming rise in violence against doctors, nurses and health workers who have devoted their lives to serving others. In San Diego County, we took action to protect these selfless health professionals through the Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force, and creating a specialized team within the DA’s Office to effectively prosecute crimes committed against health workers.

“Our message is clear – You don’t get to threaten, spit on, beat, or stab the devoted hospital staff without facing justice,” DA Stephan said. “Justice in the over 100 cases we’ve prosecuted often includes addressing the root causes of the violence through court ordered mental health and substance abuse treatment. This recognition reflects the extraordinary work of our District Attorney’s Office team – especially Deputy District Attorneys Jessica Coto and Jessica Sutterley, and District Attorney Investigator Donte Kendricks, whose leadership and dedication on the Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force have strengthened protections for frontline medical professionals and helped ensure accountability for those who harm them.”

 

Group photo of the Scripps Health President's Award presented to DA Summer Stephan.

Group photo of the Scripps Health President’s Award presented to DA Summer Stephan.

The DA’s Office has prosecuted a combined 125 cases of hospital-related violence across the region since July 2023, when it started tracking such data. This includes 88 felonies countywide and 37 misdemeanors outside of the city of San Diego. (The City Attorney’s Office prosecutes misdemeanor cases within the city of San Diego.) These prosecutions have resulted in just consequences.

Moving forward, the DA’s Office plans to report expanded statistics on how many cases occur in specific medical facilities, as well as the type of criminal charges seen most frequently.

The task force, which meets every other month, has taken several steps to help improve communication and mutual understanding of workplace violence among regional hospitals, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices. For example, the group has established liaisons between hospitals and law enforcement agencies; arranged rounding tours through hospitals by law enforcement; and improved training for both hospital staff and law enforcement officers.

Scripps has worked closely with the DA’s Office to develop an online resource to guide Scripps staff through the prosecution process and has created other educational materials on the health system’s internal employee website. Scripps also has trained its staff to help avoid injuries and de-escalate potentially violent situations; incorporated artificial intelligence into existing video surveillance cameras to identify and respond to suspicious activity; integrated hospital security officers more closely into patient care teams; and deployed metal detectors outside of some facilities.

These internal efforts at Scripps, combined with its ongoing collaboration with the task force, have yielded positive results. After the first year that the task force was in place, Scripps achieved a 31% reduction in workplace violence injuries at its five hospital campuses, compared to the previous year. And from the start of the task force through the end of 2025, Scripps has achieved a 21% reduction in workplace violence injuries.

Scripps also advocated for Assembly Bill 977, a state law implemented in 2025 that increases jail time and financial penalties for people who assault emergency department workers. And Scripps supported Senate Bill 19, which was signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2025 and allows prosecution for threats made against medical facilities, schools, houses of worship and other locations.

Health care workers account for 73% of all nonfatal workplace violence victims and are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than are other workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH 

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a nonprofit integrated health care delivery system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats more than 600,000 patients annually through the dedication of more than 3,500 affiliated physicians and nearly 18,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, more than 70 outpatient and specialty locations, and hundreds of affiliated physician offices throughout the region.

 

Recognized as a leader in disease and injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and is the only health system in the region with two level 1 trauma centers. With highly respected graduate medical education programs at all five hospital campuses, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Scripps has been ranked seven times as one of the nation’s best health care systems by Premier. Its hospitals are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s best, and Scripps is recognized by the Advisory Board, Fortune and Working Mother magazine as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.

 

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

The San Diego County DA’s Office prosecutes all felony crimes in the county and misdemeanor crimes committed outside the City of San Diego. The office files about 40,000 criminal cases a year and balances prosecution with numerous crime prevention programs. District Attorney Summer Stephan leads the office of more than 1,000 dedicated employees who pursue fair and equal justice, and support victims daily across San Diego County. You can learn more at SanDiegoDA.gov.

Stolen Funds Coming Back to Support Students

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has given her office authority to grant $25 million from the Charter School Fraud trust fund to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to fund a seven-year, countywide plan to strengthen and expand access to mental health, safety, wellness, and educational supports for K-12 students and their families. The community-responsive plan focuses on the unique strengths and needs of each region in order to connect needed resources to students experiencing homelessness and other youth who can thrive with additional support. The Board approved the grant at their January 28 meeting.

WARCH COMPLETE NEWS CONFERENCE, HERE.

“This funding will make a real difference in the lives of K-12 students and their families as they navigate wellness, safety, homelessness and mental health challenges,” said DA Stephan. “I continue to be very proud of our public corruption/consumer protection expert prosecution team that delivered justice in the A3 Charter Schools criminal case and now, we’re seeing how the trust fund established as a result of the case is impacting the community in positive ways, funneling the money stolen by the defendants back to deserving young people in our schools.”

Funds for the grant originate from criminal fines imposed in the landmark A3 Charter Schools fraud case which was prosecuted by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. In all, more than $280 million in stolen funds were recovered. The judge who oversaw the case ordered a portion of the fines to be paid to the County of San Diego now, a portion to be paid to victims in kindergarten through 12th grade, and a portion to be paid to the state of California.

Under a resolution passed unanimously by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 2021, the fines imposed by the court related to this case were earmarked and exclusively dedicated to programs that directly serve the needs of kindergarten through 12th grade students in San Diego County. The funds are not intended for County operational programs, but rather to support community-serving, education-focused initiatives, consistent with the court’s intent. After disbursement of the $25 million grant, the Charter School Fraud trust fund will have $5 million remaining in it. Superior Court Judge Fred Link who masterfully presided over the criminal case issued clear guidance regarding the monies recovered and this meets the direction by the court.

The Board’s recommendation authorizes the District Attorney’s Office to continue administering its Community Grant Program (CGP) and award the one-time $25 million grant to SDCOE to implement the HeartSpire initiative, a seven-year, countywide plan. This action builds on prior Board approvals related to the CGP and the Charter School Fraud trust fund. The $25 million is actually an aggregate of several $2.2 million to $3.8 million grants each over seven school years.

The SDCOE HeartSpire initiative is designed to connect and amplify the work happening at school sites and in county services across all five supervisorial districts. Consistent with prior K-12 grant actions, the focus is on equitable access and regional coverage, rather than limiting investments to a single geographic area.

“We are grateful the DA has entrusted SDCOE with this opportunity to build upon our efforts to positively impact students, families, and communities throughout the county,” said Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza, San Diego County superintendent of schools. “HeartSpire is rooted in the belief that human connection, mental health, and relational infrastructure are essential to thriving educational systems. Accordingly, this grant will align the DA’s Office, schools, County Health and Human Services, and community-based organizations to offer integrated services that make a real difference for students and families.”

Following establishment of the trust fund, a multi-department stakeholder workgroup with representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, Behavioral Health Services, County Office of Equity & Racial Justice, and Department of Child & Family Well-Being reviewed options for use of the funds. Based on those discussions, an initial phase of 47 K-12 community grants totaling approximately $6.4 million was awarded in 2022. Those grants supported literacy, tutoring, mentoring, youth leadership, and mental health and wellness services. The initial grant activity informed subsequent consideration of opportunities for a more coordinated, regional approach, leading to the SDCOE HeartSpire proposal.

The County’s existing stakeholder workgroup will have opportunities to review program progress, milestones, and updates as implementation proceeds, particularly in advance of future funding periods within the seven-year plan.

The DA’s Community Grant Program (CGP) originated from early crime-reduction and prevention efforts and was later expanded by the Board to include education- and prevention-focused K–12 initiatives, including grants funded through the Charter School Fraud trust fund. The HeartSpire proposal represents a continuation of that evolution, while maintaining the CGP’s core purpose of supporting community-based solutions that promote safety, wellness, and opportunity.

Photo of news conference announcing $25 Million in Stolen Funds Returned to Support San Diego Students.

NEWS CONFERENCE: $25 Million in Stolen Funds Returned to Support San Diego Students

After successfully prosecuting the landmark A3 Charter Schools fraud case, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office recovered more than $280 million in stolen education funds. In sentencing, the judge ordered that the recovered money be distributed to benefit the public—directing portions to the County of San Diego, to K–12 student victims, and to the State of California—and made clear that funds designated for students must be used exclusively for programs that directly support K–12 education.

As a result, a Charter School Fraud Trust Fund was established, and the DA’s Office was authorized by the County Board of Supervisors to administer grants that return stolen dollars to students and families. The DA’s Office has now awarded $25 million from that trust fund to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to implement HeartSpire, a seven-year, countywide initiative that brings together schools, county services, and community partners to expand mental health, safety, wellness, and educational supports for K–12 students across San Diego County—turning accountability into real, lasting impact.

East County Drug Court Graduation | How Drug Court & S.C.O.P.E. Change Lives

At the East County Drug Court Graduation, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan explained how Drug Court provides accountability, treatment, and hope for individuals struggling with substance use disorders—and celebrated a major milestone through the SCOPE program.

SCOPE (Severe Co-Occurring Pilot East) was created to serve individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders—an underserved population that often faces significant barriers to treatment. Through strong collaboration with the East County Center for Change, Action Central, and the East County Drug Court team—including DDA Joseph Fusco— participants receive individualized, specialized treatment and support.

During this graduation ceremony, the court proudly honored its first SCOPE graduate, highlighting meaningful progress toward long-term recovery, housing and employment stability, and family reunification. We were proud to honor these graduates and celebrate what’s possible when innovation, compassion, and accountability come together. This program demonstrates how collaborative justice improves lives while strengthening public safety.

Watch more in the video.

Join us for the San Ysidro Education Collaborative Community Forum on Feb. 10

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan invites you to join us in San Ysidro for an important community forum with the San Ysidro Education Collaborative. We’ll talk about the issues impacting our families right now:

⚠️ Fentanyl dangers & overdose awareness

🛑 Consumer fraud prevention

💙 Human trafficking prevention & awareness

📱 Social media safety to protect kids online

📍 Ocean View Hills Elementary School

🗓 Tuesday, Feb. 10 ⏰ 5:30–7:30 p.m.

🎟 No Cost Event & open to the public Your voice matters. Your safety matters. We hope to see you there.

 

La Bella's Cold Case Victim Ryan Cunningham. (Photo by 10News).

Grand Jury Indicts Four Gang Members for Chula Vista Cold Case Murder

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a grand jury has returned an indictment against four gang members who attacked and killed a man at a Chula Vista restaurant nearly 21 years ago. Jose Roque-Garcia, 50; Carlos Herrera, 42; Marco Herrera, 41; and Franco Dominguez, 43, have all been charged with murder. The defendants were arraigned today in San Diego Superior Court.

“This case demonstrates that my office, working with law enforcement, will continue to seek justice no matter how long it takes. The resolve of the DA’s Bureau of Investigations working alongside our prosecutors to fight for justice for this innocent victim never wavered.” said DA Stephan. “This was a brutal crime that took the life of a victim who was looking forward to starting the next chapter of his life.”

On March 20, 2004, Roque-Garcia, a high-ranking member of a Mexican drug cartel, was at La Bella’s Pizza Garden in Chula Vista celebrating the baby shower of his then-girlfriend and mother of his child. During the event, Roque-Garcia’s girlfriend accused a patron in the restaurant, 22-year-old Ryan Cunningham of stealing the keys to her car. Cunningham was an innocent bystander who was simply at the restaurant enjoying a drink while celebrating his upcoming relocation to Arizona the next day. Roque-Garcia called his gang associates and directed them to come to the restaurant to “f— up” Cunningham.

Minutes later, Dominguez and the Herreras drove to La Bella’s where Roque-Garcia pointed out the victim. Using a 2 x 4 piece of wood, taser, metal chair, and a knife, the group collectively and viciously attacked the unsuspecting and unarmed victim, culminating in a fatal stab wound to the victim’s chest.

In spite of excellent investigatory work by the Chula Vista Police Department, the case ran cold with no meaningful leads for decades. By re-examining the case over the past several years, prosecutors and DA investigators were able to piece together missing pieces of evidence that ultimately supported the grand jury’s indictment.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation include the San Diego Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the San Diego District Attorney’s Office which provided assistance and information to the Chula Vista Police Department. Numerous search warrants were executed in the course of the investigation and DNA evidence was re-examined. Franco Dominguez, Carlos Herrera, and Marco Herrera were taken into custody on January 15 without incident. Roque-Garcia was already in custody.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Robert Eacret, Christopher Netniss and Michael Reilly in the DA’s Gangs Division with key support and involvement from District Attorney Investigator Marco Mercado.

Prisoner handcuffed behind bars

Family Predator Sentenced for Molesting Multiple Relatives over Years

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a man who over several years molested five different nieces between the ages of 5 and 16 has been sentenced to prison.

Joaquin Ruiz, 45, was sentenced to 102 years to life in prison for 18 counts of sex abuse against a child including forcible lewd acts, oral copulation on a child more than 10 years younger, possession of child sexual abuse material and other counts. A jury found him guilty in August of every count.

“Predators who steal the innocence of a child, creating a lifetime of trauma, have no place in our society.” DA Stephan said. “Today’s sentence is a message to sexual abusers that you will be held to account, and you will not hide in the shadows, no matter what your affiliations are. I am grateful to our expert sexual abuse prosecution team, who delivered a measure of justice to the victims in this case.”

Considered devoutly religious, Defendant Ruiz was known as “the perfect man” in his family, so much so that when the first victim disclosed, her parents and the defendant’s wife did not believe her. This caused the victim to recant her disclosure and apologize to the defendant. A second niece disclosed what Ruiz did to her, but the girl’s mother and sister kept her disclosure secret for months until they confronted Ruiz and his wife at a park. The confrontation became so heated that the police were called, which kickstarted the child abuse investigation. The investigation revealed additional victims, videos from hidden cameras that Ruiz placed in his bathrooms to capture the young children using the toilet, and screenshots of child sexual abuse material from sites the defendant visited.

Child molestation is a very serious crime that can affect a victim forever. Victims suffer higher rates of school difficulty, depression, substance abuse, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, eating or sleeping disorders, and suicide. However, child molestation can be prevented, and parents and guardians are encouraged to talk to their children about what is and is not appropriate. For additional resources, visit the District Attorney’s page about molestation prevention.

Deputy District Attorney An Dang prosecuted this case.

24 Year Prison Term for Gang Member Who Shot and Paralyzed Innocent Teen

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that the prosecutions of three gang members involved in a shootout two years ago that left an innocent teen girl paralyzed has concluded with the final defendant, Juan Velazco Diaz, 21, being sentenced to 24 years in state prison for his violent crimes.

On October 28, 2023, two rival gang groups collided outside of a high school party in the Talmadge area of San Diego. After exchanging verbal gang challenges, a member of each gang, Juan Velazco Diaz and Kenneth Hill, produced guns and shot at each other. Velazco Diaz shot first, missed his target and the bullet struck 17-year-old high school cheerleader Brianna Wallace, who happened to be standing across the street near the 4400 block of Winona Avenue. Wallace was shot in the back and was instantly paralyzed from the waist down.

“It is heartbreaking when innocent members of our community are caught in the crossfire of senseless gang violence,” said DA Stephan. “Our hearts go out to the teen victim whose brave testimony was pivotal in obtaining justice in this case. Acts of gang violence devastate neighborhoods and will never be tolerated. Our office remains committed to holding those who would commit such violence fully accountable and to working with our law enforcement partners to reduce organized gang crime and prevent these tragedies from happening.”

After a joint investigation between the San Diego Police Department Gang Unit and the District Attorney’s Office’s Gangs Unit, Velazco Diaz, Kenneth Hill, 20, and Davian Austin, 21, were all arrested for their involvement and prosecuted. Hill and Austin were convicted of assault with a firearm, and Velazco Diaz was convicted of attempted murder with the use of a firearm and assault with the use of a firearm causing paralysis. Hill received a nine-year prison term. Austin received a sentence of one year in jail and was placed formal probation for two years.

Deputy District Attorney Kyle Sutterley in the DA’s Gangs Division prosecuted this case.

The DA’s Gangs Division prosecutes complex murder cases and other serious crimes perpetrated by violent gang members who terrorize neighborhoods. These cases are handled by one prosecutor from beginning to end – also called vertical prosecution. Cases in this division are expertly navigated by 26 prosecutors and 20 investigators to bring justice to families left in the wake of violence. In 2024, the Gangs Division conducted 23 murder jury trials, which is more than 40% of the total murders tried in the DA’s office. The division also prosecuted other cases including kidnapping for rape, assault with great bodily injury, robbery, carjacking and possession of illegal firearms, such as ghost guns, by gang members.

Judge Grants Recall and Re-Sentencing Hearing for Santana High School Shooter Andy Williams Over Strong Objection by the DA’s Office

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a Superior Court Judge has granted Santana High School Shooter Charles ‘Andy’ Williams’ request to recall his original sentence and allow him to be resentenced. The decision will result in the defendant being transferred to the juvenile court system and his immediate release from prison without any parole supervision or determination that such a move would not pose a risk to public safety. At the hearing, the judge heard strong legal arguments from the DA’s office against allowing a resentencing hearing for this killer. Prosecutors argued that 50 years-to-life does not constitute the functional equivalent of life without the possibility of parole. The judge, acknowledging a split of authority in Court of Appeal cases on the issue before this court, chose to follow the decisions by our appellate court and grant the request of inmate Williams to recall his sentence.

The DA’s office will immediately file an appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One, and again try to stop Willliams’ release.

“This defendant carried out a calculated, cold-blooded attack during which he executed two young students and shot 11 other students and two school officials, forever traumatizing a community,” said DA Stephan. “As prosecutors, our duty is to ensure justice for victims and protect public safety, and the defendant’s cruel actions in this case continue to warrant the 50-years-to-life sentence that was imposed. We respectfully disagree with the Court’s decision and will continue our legal fight in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court if need be. Prosecutors mounted a formidable legal position, led by Deputy District Attorney Nicole Roth, arguing that 50 years-to-life is not the functional equivalent of life without the possibility of parole on its own, and in addition, argued that the law allows the defendant an opportunity for youthful parole and elder parole in the future. In fact, Williams already had a youthful parole hearing and was found unsuitable for release. These same opportunities were not given to the two victims who were executed. They won’t be released from the grave and returned to their families. At some point our laws must balance the rights of defendants, the rights of victims, and the rights of the community to be safe. Many school shooters are young, so what message does our legislature want to give them to deter them from carrying out horrific shootings?”

Williams’ case was transferred to juvenile court for a disposition hearing.  At a disposition hearing, due to Williams’ age when he murdered two students and attempted to murder 13 others, his adult convictions will be re-designated as juvenile ‘true findings’ and he cannot be ordered to serve more custody time. Williams will be ordered released from prison and may be placed on up to two years of juvenile probation. The court will not have an opportunity under existing law to weigh factors in aggravation or mitigation in making the disposition order, nor will the court make a finding that the order is not a risk to public safety.

On March 5, 2001, a tragic school shooting occurred at Santana High School in Santee. Williams, who was 15 years old at the time, opened fire on campus, killing two students—14-year-old Bryan Zuckor and 17-year-old Randy Gordon—and wounding 13 others, including 11 students and two staff members.​

The Santana High School shooting incident began around 9:20 a.m. when Williams entered a boys’ bathroom with a .22-caliber revolver taken from his father’s locked gun cabinet. He shot a student inside the restroom, then emerged to fire at others in the hallway and school’s quad area. Witnesses described him as calm and methodical, returning to the bathroom to reload multiple times before continuing to fire at students and staff in the hallway. He was ultimately apprehended by police without resistance.​

In August 2002, Williams pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced as an adult to 50 years-to-life in prison. He is currently incarcerated at the California Institution for Men in Chino, California and became eligible for parole in September 2024. His first parole request was denied, with the Parole Board citing him as a continued risk to public safety.​ In making its decision, the Board said it is unclear if Williams understands why he committed “this horrendous act of violence.”

In 2011, a change in the law allowed judge to recall or reduce adult sentences in the “interests of justice” and created pathways for juvenile offenders with life without parole to seek recall of their sentence and resentencing. In 2022, the Court of Appeal decision in People v. Heard extended the resentencing petition process to juvenile offenders serving the ’functional equivalent’ of life without the possibility of parole.  On March 6 of this year, Williams’ attorney filed a petition for recall of sentence and resentencing with the court, setting the legal process in motion for a judge to consider his request.

The DA’s Office has notified dozens of victims who were impacted by the shooting about the defendant’s request for re-sentencing, complying with its responsibilities under Marsy’s Law.

The Santana High School shooting remains one of the most painful school shootings in San Diego County history.

‘Home for the Holidays’ Human Trafficking Operation Recovers 19 Victims in Three Days

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that 19 victims of human trafficking were recovered over three days this month during law enforcement’s annual Home for the Holidays Human Trafficking Task Force Operation in San Diego County. The victims were offered services to help them escape and heal from exploitation and human trafficking.

This operation also resulted in four adult men, including a registered sex offender, being arrested and charged with pimping, pandering and violating a protective order. Six misdemeanor citations were issued to sex buyers.

“The ugly truth is that sex trafficking remains a lucrative criminal industry fueled by demand that generating over $810 million a year in San Diego County,” DA Stephan said. “I’m proud of our work with the San Diego Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, my office’s Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division and all our partners that work around the clock to recover victims as young as 12. Together they hold human traffickers and criminal buyers accountable for their crimes. The ongoing efforts of the task force demonstrate that law enforcement will not tolerate this modern-day slavery of vulnerable victims who are bought and sold like a slice of pizza.”

Operation Home for the Holidays is an annual, multi-jurisdictional operation aimed at recovering victims of human trafficking, offering victim services, apprehending and prosecuting traffickers, and reducing the demand of sex for pay. During Operation Home for the Holidays, law enforcement officers worked undercover as sex buyers to identify and contact potential victims of trafficking and traffickers by responding to online advertisements for sex. This year’s operation was the sixth annual and was conducted at motels in Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego on December 10, 11, and 12.

“Operation Home for the Holidays is a key part of our efforts to keep our communities safe for the holidays and all year round,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I want to thank our partners at the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, who work to support victims, survivors, and their families. Together, we will continue to disrupt human trafficking operations and achieve meaningful results that uplift vulnerable Californians.”

Beginning January 1, a new law goes into effect that targets sex buyers, protects minors and supports survivors of human trafficking. AB 379, authored by Assemblymembers Nick Shultz (D-Burbank), Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove), and original author Assemblymember Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento) makes the buying of a minor for sex, a felony crime. It also reverses a portion of a misguided law that decriminalized loitering for prostitution, making it a crime again for criminal buyers. The law also creates a Survivor Support Fund to s provide grants to community-based organizations that provide direct services and outreach to victims of sex trafficking and exploitation. Finally, the law increases civil penalties for specific human trafficking-related violations by businesses.

“HSI is committed to a victim-centered approach in the fight against human trafficking, prioritizing both the well-being of victims and the pursuit of justice against those responsible for these crimes,” said Kevin Murphy, (A)Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego. “Through the Human Trafficking Task Force, our collaborative efforts have led to the removal of dangerous offenders from the community and ensured that the 19 victims received the support and services they need.”

The defendants in this case were arraigned on Friday, December 19 and Monday, December 22. If convicted they face between six and 20 years in prison.

The Human Trafficking Task Force is a cooperative effort led by the California Department of Justice with task force membership by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, San Diego Police Department, Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, National City Police Department, San Diego City Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Probation Department,

If you or someone you know is being coerced, deceived or forced to engage in sexual activity, or labor and needs help to leave, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

Over the past four years, there have been 23 arrests, 65 rescues— including two juveniles— and three guns recovered during Home for the Holidays Operations. The Human Trafficking Task Force conducts similar operations throughout the year. In 2024, the task force recovered 47 juveniles through various operations. In 2025, 62 juveniles have been recovered.