Portland Police arrest nine in anti-trafficking operation along Southeast 82nd Avenue

KATU News
KATU News
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Published 2024-06-16
Portland Police say they arrested nine men during an anti-trafficking mission along Southeast 82nd Avenue.

On Tuesday, June 11, Portland Police say the following men were arrested or cited for Commercial Sexual Solicitation and/or Unlawful Prostitution Procurement Activities:

Ismael Gonzaga-Pedroza, 22, of Forest Grove, Oregon
Robert Casper, 45, of Onalaska, Washington
Braulio L. Lazaro, 50, of Vancouver, Washington
Guerner Ramirez Fuentes, 44, of Portland
Alejando Ibarra, 41, of Vancouver, Washington
Firaol Gecho, 22, of Portland
Habtamu Egata, 51, of Milwaukie, Oregon

Police say Shauntae D. Kindred, 46, of Portland was arrested on several charges including Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public.

Daniel J. Harding Ortiz, 24, of Gresham, was arrested on a warrant from Clackamas County.

Police say other potential buyers were identified, four vehicles towed, and six providers contacted. All providers were offered services and advocacy assistance, police said.

The 82nd Avenue corridor is bustling with cars and people walking, making it one of the busiest streets in Portland.

Mixed into the routine is human trafficking, which has become no secret to people living in the Montavilla and Madison South neighborhoods.

"We have been getting complaints. Frankly for years, about significant criminal activity in this area. A lot has been focused on the prostitution trade,” said Sgt. Kevin Allen with the Portland Police Bureau.

What makes things worse, Allen said, is the fact that human trafficking is often linked to violent crimes. "A lot of them involved violence, assaults, rape and gun crimes. Sometimes we come across stolen vehicles.”

“One female was rescued after she was identified as missing from California,” Portland Police said. PPB’s Victim Services Unit worked to arrange transportation to reunite her with her family.

It is an example of victims forced to travel up and down the West Coast.

"It's a horrible lifestyle. It's part of the manipulation that traffickers use to isolate their victims. When they feel like they don't have any support system, then that breaks down their defenses and willingness to seek help,” Sgt. Allen told KATU.

The latest mission is part of an ongoing effort that dates back years.

Police data showed, since 2015, there have been 233 human trafficking arrests across Portland.

That number is a small one compared to what is a much bigger problem.

"There is so much of this activity happening that honestly, it's everywhere. And so, we recognize that. We know that a lot more needs to be done,” Sgt. Allen said.

If you or someone you know is being labor or sex trafficked, please call 911 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or report tips to [email protected].

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