Violence Suppression Team Make Arrests In Trafficking Investigation
Jose Leonel Romero and Simon Miranda Guevara booking photos
Suspects Were Under Investigation For Past Three Months
KING CITY—The Monterey County Sheriff’s Violence Suppression Unit, which is comprised of law enforcement agencies from throughout Monterey County, were investigating a group of individuals suspected of trafficking female immigrants into the United Stated for the purpose of prostitution. On November 10, they arrested five of the individuals in a simultaneous search warrant that took place in the cities King City, Greenfield and Gilroy.
Debyi Roman Gomez and Hollman Giovanni Zelaya
The three month investigation culminated in a multi-location search warrant that, when finished, found that at least three females were exchanging sexual favors for money. Men were collecting the cash and taking half for profit.
The females admitted that they were engaging in these sex acts for the male suspects. Agents searched a storage locker and the residences of the suspects. They located more evidence of prostitution as well as counterfeit DVDs that were in the possession of two primary co-conspirators.
About 15,000 counterfeit DVD’s where found and seized. The discs had an estimated street value of $60,000.00. In all, the three month investigation produced thousands of counterfeited DVDs and thousands of dollars in US currency.
Several subjects were arrested and warrant complaints will be requested through the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
Alexa Ortez is one of three still wanted.
Arrested were 36-year-old Jose Leonel Romero of King City, 43-year-old Simon Miranda Guevara, also of King City, 24-year-old Deybi Roman Gomez of Greenfield, 39-year-old Hollman Giovanni Zelaya of King City, and a 16-year-old juvenile who is a gang member on felony probation caught with a firearm in his possession.
46-year-old Alexa Margine Lopez Ortez of King City, 25-year-old Miralda Garnica Gonzalez, also of King City, and 54-year-old Juana Medina Javier of Greenfield are still outstanding and have active warrants out for their arrests.
