A human trafficker was put behind bars, and two victims of his crimes were discovered and rescued in Ontario last week.
At 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 6, 2019, The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force was asked to assume an investigation of human trafficking in Ontario. Ontario police had made contact with a sixteen-year-old girl, who indicated that she had been working as a prostitute for a man known as “Amen” for the past several days.
Investigation on the perpetrator led police to identify “Amen” as 26-year-old Vincent Callender of Ontario. Within hours of surveillance at several different locations, “Task Force members located Callender while he was traveling in a vehicle with an unknown male,” according to the release. The other man was found to have had no connection to the crimes and was released. Callender was arrested without incident and interviewed by police at the Ontario Police Department.
During the investigation, a 19-year-old female was discovered and identified as an additional victim of human trafficking by Callender. Evidence revealed that Callender had been prostituting her for several months and had used physical force against her.
Callender was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on charges of human trafficking, pimping and pandering of a minor, and human trafficking, pimping and pandering of an adult with force. His bail has been set at $1.5 million.
“Both victims were rescued and provided access to services prior to being safely released to their families,” according to the press release.
Investigators believe there are other victims related to this case. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force at (909)387-8400. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.
