An elaborate sting operation executed by San Diego prosecutors and the city’s human trafficking task force netted more than a dozen arrests tied to last week’s gathering of superhero fans at the San Diego Convention Center.
“Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF) conducted an anti-human trafficking operation coinciding with the Comic-Con Convention that resulted in 14 arrests and 10 victims recovered and offered services,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Tuesday.
More than 100,000 film, illustration and animation fans attend the spirited gathering that draws stars including Chris Hemsworth, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chace Crawford to southern California for parties and promotional events.
But Comic-Con also attracts its share of real-life villains.
“Unfortunately, sex traffickers capitalize on large scale events such as Comic-Con to exploit their victims for profit,” Bonta said.
From July 25 to July 27, undercover personnel targeted sex buyers and focused on recovering trafficking victims, according to authorities. Their tactics included drawing out sexual deviants with enticing advertisements.
“As a result of the three-day operation, 14 sex buyers were arrested, nine adult potential victims of sex trafficking were recovered and offered services, and one 16-year-old juvenile was recovered,” the prosecutor’s office said.
New York Comic-Con gets underway in October. Stars including Kevin Smith, Josh Brolin, Denise Richards and Katey Sagal are expected to attend.
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