On Wednesday, the Santa Clara Police Department made the Turlock Police Department aware of a possible juvenile human trafficking victim that was believed to be frequenting the area. The juvenile was considered to be at high risk based on the circumstances in the missing person report.
Officers with the department’s Special Investigations Unit immediately began collaborating with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to locate the juvenile who was believed to be somewhere within Turlock or the surrounding area.
Eventually on Thursday, officers were able to pinpoint the victim’s location in the 100 block of North Tully Road, Turlock, and then rescue them.
Officers were also able to arrest the suspect, Angelo Gabriel Fuentes, 22, of Hayward. He was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of human trafficking, child abuse, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
The juvenile was released to Child Protective Services and arrangements are being made to safely return them home.
The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged to call Officer Monica Maschal at 209-664-7347.
