Photo: Craig Richardson Gaines
On April 08, 2020, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Counter Human Trafficking Team ran an undercover prostitution sting in an attempt to rescue a potential human trafficking victim. The victim was a pregnant female being commercially sexually exploited and controlled by a trafficker. The male suspect contacted and identified was 33-year old Anthony Craig Richardson Gaines of Modesto.
Because of COVID-19, the state is under a zero bail policy. Due to this policy, and additional follow-up needed, Richardson Gaines and the victim were released. Additional investigation was conducted and investigators with the Counter Human Trafficking Team were granted an arrest warrant for the suspect. He was wanted for human trafficking, pimping, and a prison prior enhancement.
Richardson Gaines was arrested in Modesto on August 18, 2020 with the assistance of Modesto Police Department Investigations Division and the non-profit organization DeliverFund.
Photo from the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office
