Sex Crime Investigation in Lemon Grove 

May 25, 2024 - San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that an undercover operation in the East County ends with a man under arrest on suspicion of soliciting sex from a minor. 

The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) investigation was initiated after concerned citizens brought bizarre postings that had been affixed to utility poles in Lemon Grove advertising the "AZ24.CO" website to the attention of law enforcement. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is a member of the HTTF.

The postings claimed to be selling various items and women’s clothing, as well as looking for partners to “cuddle” and “drink” with. The website only contained the message in the screenshot seen below.

During an undercover operation on Wednesday, May 22, HTTF deputies and officers posed as a 16-year-old girl and answered the advertisement. They were then solicited for sex acts by a man, later identified as Robert Owens (48). He arranged to meet with the decoy for sexual intercourse. When he arrived at the meeting location, Owens was arrested for 288.3 PC - Soliciting a Minor for Sex.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Sheriff's Department and the HTTF would like to thank the public for bringing this case to our attention.

The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force is seeking the assistance of the public to determine if anyone else has been victimized or seen these advertisements posted in other areas of the county. You can call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. You can also visit the Crime Stoppers website at www.sdcrimestoppers.org/anonymous-tip.

Source & photos: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department