Photo: Stock Image
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office recently partnered with the Anderson Police Department to conduct a human sex trafficking operation targeting the illegal sex trade. The operation focused on identifying potential customers of the illegal sex industry by utilizing known prostitution websites to advertise commercial sex acts for sale. Prearranged services were set up at a local hotel in Anderson, CA, and within 24 hours, over sixty people had solicited sex from the posted advertisements. Of the sixty people, six were arrested as a result of the operation. The remaining individuals did not make appointments and were not contacted by undercover detectives.
The suspects who were arrested during the operation were identified as Nathaniel Paul Welch, age 44 of the City of Shasta Lake, Jose Almazan Espinoza, age 31 of Redding, Jamil Radi Haddadin, age 40 of Redding, Frank Alexis Molina, age 46 of Redding, and Benjamin Michael Watland, age 30 of Cottonwood. Welch was arrested for the misdemeanor violation of soliciting prostitution in accordance with 647(b) PC. Espinoza was arrested for the misdemeanor violation of soliciting prostitution in accordance with 647(b) PC and the felony violations of possession and transportation of controlled substances for the purposes of furnishing in accordance with 11351 HS and 11352(a) HS. Haddadin was arrested for the misdemeanor violation of soliciting prostitution in accordance with 647(b) PC and the misdemeanor violation of possession of cocaine in accordance with 11350(a) HS. Molina was arrested for the misdemeanor violation of soliciting prostitution in accordance with 647(b) PC. Watland was arrested for the misdemeanor violation of soliciting prostitution in accordance with 647(b) PC.
During the operation, 23 year old Ryan Michael McKibben of Redding, arranged a meeting with undercover detectives for the purpose of paying for sexual services from a minor. While undercover detectives were unable to locate McKibben during the operation, he later re-contacted them and set up another meeting for the purpose of paying for sexual services from a minor on April 3rd, 2023. McKibben was contacted at a local motel in Redding and placed under arrest for two felony violations of arranging to meet with a minor for sexual services in accordance with 288.4(a) PC, two felony violations of arriving at a meeting for the purpose of paying for sexual services with a minor in accordance with 288.4(b) PC, and one misdemeanor violation of soliciting prostitution in accordance with 647(b) PC.
All six named suspects have been booked into the Shasta County Jail for the above-mentioned charges, which also include felony drug charges in some cases. The local agencies that participated in this operation were The Shasta County D.A.’s Office and The Anderson Police Department. Shasta County Sheriff’s Office thanked its allied agencies for assisting in making the local operation possible.
Human trafficking is a serious concern and authorities are committed to tackling the demand that drives this industry. Sheriff Michael L. Johnson stated, “We would like to remind the public that the only reason human trafficking exists within our community is because of the customers willing to purchase sexual services.” Local agencies have pledged to continue such operations to target the illegal sex industry and eliminate the risk of childhood trafficking in the community.
The arrests of these individuals highlight the ongoing efforts to prevent human trafficking and to protect minors from sexual exploitation. Law enforcement agencies continue to work together to tackle the issue and apprehend those who participate in such activities.
