August 17, 2023 - San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that in July 2023, detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Investigations Division-Crimes Against Children Detail and the Victor Valley Station investigated allegations of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and labor trafficking involving numerous victims.

Investigators identified Rigoberto Latin and Maria Hernandez as the suspects.  At the conclusion of the investigation, Latin and Hernandez were arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto for violation of PC 236.1(a) Human Trafficking, PC 288(B)(1) Lewd or Lascivious Acts with a Child Under 14 years with Force, PC 289(A)(1)(B) Sexual Penetration by Foreign Object Under 14 years, PC 236 False Imprisonment, and PC 136.1(C)(1) Prevent/Dissuade Witness/Victim by Threat/Force.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are releasing Hernandez and Latin’s photograph. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Wendy Winegar of the Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail, at (909) 890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 16, 2023

INCIDENT: PC 236.1(a) - Human Trafficking

PC288(B)(1) - Lewd or Lascivious Acts with a Child Under 14 years with Force

PC 289(A)(1)(B) - Sexual Penetration by Foreign Object Under 14 years

PC 236 - False Imprisonment

PC 136.1(C)(1) - Prevent/Dissuade Witness/Victim by Threat/Force

LOCATION: Town of Phelan

VICTIM: Confidential Juveniles

SUSPECT: Rigoberto Hernandez Latin, 44-years-old, Resident of Phelan

SUSPECT: Maria Olimpia Hernandez, 33-years-old, Resident of Phelan

Source & photos: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department