"Operation Reclaim and Rebuild"
February 7, 2026 – San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office officials report that in January 2026, the San Luis Obispo County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force participated in Operation Reclaim and Rebuild in order to combat human trafficking within our area.
This operation was a coordinated effort throughout the state and multiple agencies within San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County participated. This includes investigators from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office – Special Operations Unit, Special Victim’s Unit, and Major Crimes Unit; DeliverFund; California Highway Patrol – Investigative Services Unit; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Santa Maria Field Office; Santa Maria Police Department; San Luis Obispo County Probation Department; Grover Beach Police Department; San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations along with their 3CFL unit; and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney – Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center.
Over the course of Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, investigators were able to make a total of 6 arrests and rescued 3 female sex trafficking victims in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Two of the females were adults and one female was a juvenile under the age of 18.
The following individuals were arrested with the respective charges over the course of the investigation.
- · ESTEBAN CEJA (30), San Diego
PC 236.1(B) Human Trafficking
PC 266H(A) Pimping
PC 266H(A) Pimping
PC 266I(A)(1) Procures another person/prostitution
PC 266I(A)(1) Procures another person/prostitution
PC 148.9(A) False Representation to a Peace Officer
- · GAEL PITAABARCA (18), Paso Robles
PC 288.4(B) Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purposes
- · STEPHAN MUELLER (62), Los Osos
PC 288.4(B) Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purposes
PC 288.3(A) Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense
- · SINGH ASHVIR (22), San Luis Obispo
PC 288.4(B) Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purposes
- · GONZALO LUNA-PENAFORT (22), Santa Maria
PC 288.4(B) Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purposes (Santa Barbara County)
- · ARTURO DELEON (39), Santa Maria
PC 288.4(B) Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purposes (Santa Barbara County)
Due to the coordinated efforts of all Law Enforcement agencies involved, Operation Reclaim and Rebuild was a success within our county and allowed us to rescue multiple victims of human trafficking.
Source & photos: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
