Yakima police officers from the Criminal Investigations Division, Gang Unit and Patrol Division spent much of Thursday arresting 10 men in connection with a sex trafficking case that originated from a patrol call in May.
During the investigation, a juvenile female revealed she was encouraged by a family member to engage in sex with multiple men in exchange for drugs and money.
Detectives worked in conjunction with the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office, Child Protective Services, medical providers, protective services and victim advocacy programs during the investigation. The investigative process identified multiple “Johns” that had paid the juvenile to engage in various sex acts.
The ten men arrested in relation to the case have been charged with crimes ranging from Commercial Sex Abuse of a Minor, Rape of Child 3rd Degree, Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Person Under Eighteen, Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, and Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes. The suspects all reside in the Yakima Valley and range in age from 21 to 77-years-old.
“We are committed to devoting all available resources to protect one of our most vulnerable populations – our kids,” said Yakima Police Captain Jay Seely. “I am so grateful for the men and women of the Special Assault Unit and the tremendous work they do.”
Detectives are currently pursuing additional leads in this case and anticipate more arrests.