“On June 12, 2024, the deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station Special Enforcement Team, along with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT), conducted a comprehensive “John” prostitution sting to reduce the demand for sex trafficking in the city of Lake Elsinore. The operation resulted in the arrest of the 15 suspects who are listed below for prostitution-related offenses. Additionally, five potential victims were identified, and victim services/resources were provided.
Travis Blancarte, 42-year-old resident of Hemet
Brandon Santiago, 36-year-old resident of Menifee
Blair Gilliard, 33-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore
Joshua Fetterolf, 25-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore
Jose Zavala, 32-year-old resident of Riverside
Loren Pharris, 51-year-old resident of Murrieta
Bryan Williams, 32-year-old resident of Upland
Sergio Gonzalez, 39-year-old resident of Perris
Baltes Dhaliwal, 42-year-old resident of Temecula
Matthew Campbell, 34-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore
Jose Gonzalez, 26-year-old resident of Corona
Uriel Flores, 23-year-old resident of Menifee
Jose Romero, 28-year-old resident of Pomona
Lloyd Mcardle, 70-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore
Shelton Hill, 52-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore
Prostitution is not a victimless crime. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one in six endangered runaways reported are likely victims of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking victims are often subjected not only to severe forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker, but are also physically and sexually assaulted by those that solicit them for prostitution. Lake Elsinore Station SET deputies intend to disrupt and dismantle sex trafficking rings operating within Riverside County and will aggressively identify, pursue, and apprehend those who seek to exploit vulnerable victims. SET will also proactively work to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Castro or Deputy Costin at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station (951) 245–3300.
If you, or anyone you know has been a victim of human trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at (888) 373–7888 or contact your local law enforcement department. As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776–1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.”
