SAN GABRIEL >> A multi-agency task force checking up on felons who are on probation under the terms of AB 109 dismantled a child prostitution ring operating out of a San Gabriel motel on Thursday, officials said.
Three girls between the ages of 14 and 17 were rescued and three suspects were jailed following the bust, which took place about 1 p.m. at the New Century Inn, 1114 E. Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel police Lt. Fabian Valdez said.
San Gabriel police had teamed with other neighboring police agencies that make up the San Gabriel Valley East AB 109 Task Force came upon the alleged human trafficking while conducting their periodic sweeps of convicted felons who are under the supervision of county probation under the terms of AB 109, also known as the California Public Safety Realignment of 2011.
While conducting a check on a probationers at the motel, officers encountered a man and determined he was on probation.
“They conducted additional investigation and discovered a human trafficking ring,” Valdez said.
The three teenage trafficking victims were found in two different rooms at the motel. Two additional suspects were also linked to the alleged child sex trafficking ring.
Arrested were James Thomas Gordley, 27, Tyrone Douglas Stevenson, 18, and a 17-year-old boy, whose name was withheld due to his age, according to San Gabriel police and Los Angeles County booking records.
Police declined to release the suspects’ cities of residence, citing the ongoing investigation.
All three suspects were booked on suspicion of human trafficking.
Fabian commended the involved task force officers for their proactive police work, which led to the rescue of the three young victims and the apprehension of three suspects.
The two adult suspects were being held in lieu of $150,000 bail each pending their initial court appearances, records show.
The rescued teenagers were placed in the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.