SAN DIEGO — A Las Vegas man was sentenced to 10 years in prison July 25 for coercing three women to engage in prostitution and transporting them from Las Vegas to San Diego.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF), the City of San Diego’s Fire-Rescue Department and Lifeguard Services Division investigated this case.
“Those engaged in human trafficking prey on the most vulnerable among us,” said HSI San Diego acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Davis.
“HSI and our partner agencies are committed to curbing the sexual abuse and exploitation of young people.
Let the sentence serve as a warning that committing one of the most vicious crimes conceivable has significant repercussions. HSI special agents stand at the ready to protect the innocent.”
Authorities found the women after one victim approached a San Diego lifeguard to ask for help on Sept. 12, 2023, at Mission Beach.
The victim said she was trafficked from Las Vegas and wanted help. The lifeguard immediately notified San Diego Police.
The SDHTTF quickly located and recovered the other two victims at a local hotel and arrested David Warren, 37, of Las Vegas.
According to his plea agreement, Warren preyed on and trafficked the victims — one of whom was homeless and vulnerable to substance abuse — through violence, threats of violence and emotional abuse. Once Warren and the women were in San Diego, he took them to various beaches to solicit customers.
“Profiteers exploit victims of human trafficking anywhere they think they can take advantage, even on the beach in daylight,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath.
“This brave woman saved herself and others by trusting a San Diego lifeguard, who immediately jumped into action.”
“The DOJ-led San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force is laser-focused on holding human traffickers accountable in San Diego County,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“We must work together across every level of government and society to help bring human trafficking to an end. No one agency can do it all alone.
I am grateful to our local, state and federal partners for holding traffickers accountable and creating a real, lasting impact on survivors.”
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“This circumstance was not the typical rescue our lifeguards perform,” said Marine Safety Captain Maureen Hodges. “However, we were glad to be of service and keep this victim safe while notifying San Diego Police that she needed assistance.”
“The San Diego Police Department is a proud member of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force,” said Police Chief Scott Wahl.
“The suspect in this case used violence and manipulation to control his victims. Thankfully, due to the quick action of the SDPD and SDHTTF, Warren was arrested and all three victims in the case were rescued.
SDPD remains committed to utilizing every resource to rescue victims of human trafficking while holding their traffickers accountable.”
If you are living or working under threat of violence or extortion, or you suspect someone else may be, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s toll free, 24/7 hotline at 888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733).
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Ko and Lyndzie M. Carter.
About HSI
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move.
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HSI’s workforce consists of over 10,000 employees, assigned to 235 offices within the United States and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries.
HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
source: dhs.gov/hsi-san-diego-multiagency-case-results-man-sentenced-10-years-prison-forcing-women
