Anti-Human Trafficking Operation
July 6, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on June 26, 2025, the Lake Elsinore Station Special Enforcement 
Team (SET), along with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT), conducted a comprehensive “John” prostitution sting in an effort to reduce the demand for sex trafficking in the city of Lake Elsinore.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals for prostitution-related offenses, including two for pimping and pandering (subjects 19 and 20). Additionally, three potential victims were identified and provided with victim services and resources.
- Enrique Hernandez, 38-year-old of Perris
- Antonio Melendez, 63-year-old of Perris
- Frederick Williams, 37-year-old of Los Angeles
- Eric Borba, 44-year-old of Corona
- James Blakely, 45-year-old of Temecula
- Scott Hoover, 49-year-old of Lake Elsinore
- Michael Richards, 31-year-old of Wildomar
- Curtis Bowers, 48-year-old of Riverside
- Daniel Lopez, 28-year-old of Lake Elsinore
- Guillermo Lopez, 49-year-old of Menifee
- Ben Conte, 34-year-old of Menifee
- David Segura, 40-year-old of San Jacinto
- Kyler Sargent, 24-year-old of Hemet
- Malachi Lines, 28-year-old of Lake Elsinore
- Ethan Bender, 24-year-old of Murrieta
- Kenneth Alegre, 26-year-old of Perris
- Pedro Sotz, 26-year-old of Westminster
- Rafael Torres, 27-year-old of Murrieta
- Roshatta Joseph, 52-year-old of Hemet
- Vincent Hatfield, 48-year-old of Hemet
Prostitution is not a victimless crime. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one in six endangered runaways reported are likely victims of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking victims are often subjected not only to severe forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker but are also physically and sexually assaulted by those who solicit them for prostitution. Lake Elsinore Station SET deputies intend to disrupt and dismantle sex trafficking rings operating within Riverside County and will aggressively identify, pursue, and apprehend those who seek to exploit vulnerable victims. SET will also proactively work to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Costin or Deputy Olson at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station (951) 245-3300.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of human trafficking, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at (888) 373-7888 or contact your local law enforcement department. As a reminder, "Community Policing" involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff's Dispatch at (951) 776-1099 or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.
Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Jarrod Meissen
File # Multiple
Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office