Anti-human trafficking operation at San Diego Comic-Con leads to 14 arrests

14 arrested in anti-human trafficking sting at Comic-Con, rescuing 10 victims, says California Attorney General.

An anti-human trafficking operation conducted during San Diego Comic-Con led to the arrest of 14 individuals, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Wednesday.

From July 25 to July 27, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force carried out a sting operation aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking and targeting those attempting to exploit the convention for illicit activities. According to the California Department of Justice, the operation successfully rescued ten victims, who were provided with necessary support services.

“Large-scale events like Comic-Con unfortunately attract sex traffickers who exploit these gatherings for their own gain,” Bonta stated. “These arrests make it clear that such criminal behavior will not be tolerated. We are deeply appreciative of the relentless efforts of our partners in the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force. Our office remains committed to supporting vulnerable Californians and ensuring they receive the assistance and protection they deserve.”

San Diego Comic-Con, one of the world’s largest pop culture conventions, drew around 135,000 attendees from Thursday to Sunday. In response to the operation, a spokesperson for Comic-Con commented, “We find this very disturbing. While we were not informed about this operation, we understand the arrests took place outside of the event. We work closely with various law enforcement agencies throughout the year and are prepared to assist in any way we can.”

Originally started as a grassroots event for comic book fans, Comic-Con has grown significantly and is now a major platform for Hollywood studios and A-list celebrities to promote their latest films and TV shows.

Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, noted that “highly attended events” like Comic-Con are often seen by criminals as “opportunities to prey upon minors.”

San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl added, “Through collaborative efforts, our teams identified and arrested more than a dozen individuals engaged in these illegal activities over the weekend.” Law enforcement utilized undercover advertisements soliciting sex to apprehend sex buyers during the sting operation.