Source: CHRIS DELMAS / Getty
Disturbing news coming out of California as authorities busted up a sex trafficking ring at this year’s annual Comic-Con event.
Yes, Comic-Con.
According to Deadline, California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, announced that his investigators arrested 14 individuals involved in the sex trafficking ring and recovered 10 victims in the operation. While many people know that sex trafficking rings are a problem worldwide, we’re lowkey surprised such a thing would be operating at a place like Comic-Con where families and friends go to live out their geekiest cosplay fantasies. Still, that’s what happened, and now people are going to have to pay the piper for their transgressions.
Deadline reports:
“Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit,” Rob Bonta said toady, announcing the sting at the just-concluded convention. Along with the apprehension of more than a dozen alleged sex buyers, among the 10 victims was a 16-year-old who law enforcement “recovered.”
“These arrests send a clear message to potential offenders that their criminal behavior will not be tolerated,” the California AG said of the sting that took place from July 25-27. “We are grateful to all our dedicated partners involved in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, whose collaboration has been invaluable. We take great pride in our office’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable Californians by offering them assistance and guidance when they need it most.”
Now, with this sex-trafficking ring busted up, best believe authorities will be keeping an eye on New York’s Comic Con come this fall for similar illegal activity.
“San Diego proudly hosts special events like Comic-Con – highly attended events like these allow us to showcase our growing and beautiful city,” Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego, said Wednesday. “However, when people use these events as an opportunity to prey upon minors, HSI and our law enforcement partners will find you and bring you before a court of law to face criminal charges. There is no place for alleged predators to operate in our city and HSI is committed to helping the victims of these crimes.”
Man, ain’t nowhere safe these days.
What’s your thoughts on sex traffickers using Comic-Con for their illegal activities? Let us know in the comments section below.
