A month-long, state-wide investigation into human sex trafficking resulted in the arrests of 62 suspects in San Bernardino County. The county’s Human Trafficking Task Force worked with 50 other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and 11 task forces to combat human trafficking. The task force conducted two to three operations per day, specifically in San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, and Victorville. Investigators selected areas where there was a high volume of activity and advertisements directly related to commercial sex trafficking. Those arrested were charged with pimping, pandering, prostitution, loitering, and other crimes. Investigators identified and rescued 14 victims of sex trafficking, including one minor. Four firearms were seized.
A Yucca Valley man was arrested Thursday, February 4, accused of sexual assault. Around 2 a.m. on January 26, deputies responded to a report of attempted rape at a residence on Ocotillo Avenue in Twentynine Palms. During their investigation, deputies determined that parolee Manuel Tarango, 34, of Yucca Valley had sexually assaulted a woman at the residence but had fled prior to deputy’s arrival. A $300,000 arrest warrant was issued for Tarango. On Thursday, February 4, members of the county Specialized Enforcement Division located and arrested Tarango in Yucca Valley. Manuel Tarango was arrested for investigation of sexual assault including oral copulation by force or fear, was booked into the West Valley Detention Center, and is being held without bail.
Hesperia shootout suspect pleads not guilty to 5 felonies
Victorville Daily Press
A 39-year-old Hesperia man allegedly caught on video in a shootout after trying to force entry into a victim’s home pleaded not guilty to five felonies Wednesday, including murder.
While court records show that prosecutors charged Erick Javier Contreras with murder, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Taylor Reynolds, of the Hesperia station, said Contreras is not accused of murder, but attempted murder.
An inquiry left with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office was not returned Thursday.
“In regard to his charges, it should be attempted murder for the incident,” Reynolds said in an email Thursday.
Palm Springs Desert Sun
The San Bernardino County District Attorney s Office is reviewing investigative reports from the county sheriff s department regarding the El Dorado Fire, which was sparked in September during a gender reveal party held near Yucaipa.
The county DA s office received the completed reports earlier this week, and deputy district attorneys assigned to the case will begin reviewing them, the office said Thursday in a news release. They will also review reports from Cal Fire, as well as other investigative reports and evidence. While we know our community wants answers, we have to be diligent and thorough in understanding every aspect of this case so that we can render the appropriate filing decision, which we anticipate issuing no later than March 1, 2021, the DA s office said in a statement.