San Luis Obispo County, CA – A January multi-agency operation led to six arrests and three victims rescued, authorities said.
According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, the county’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force participated in Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, a coordinated enforcement effort conducted throughout January to combat human trafficking in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
The operation involved investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, Special Victims Unit, and Major Crimes Unit, along with the California Highway Patrol, the FBI Santa Maria Field Office, Santa Maria Police Department, Grover Beach Police Department, San Luis Obispo County Probation, the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations, and the Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center.
Investigators allegedly made six arrests during the operation and rescued three female victims of sex trafficking. Authorities said two of the victims were adults and one was a juvenile under the age of 18.
Those arrested and the alleged charges listed by the Sheriff’s Office include:
Esteban Ceja, 30, of San Diego: human trafficking, pimping, procuring another for prostitution, and false representation to a peace officer.
Gael Pitabarca, 17, of Paso Robles: meeting with a minor for lewd purposes.
Stephan Mueller, 62, of Los Osos: meeting with a minor for lewd purposes and contact with a minor for a sexual offense.
Singh Ashvir, 21, of San Luis Obispo: meeting with a minor for lewd purposes.
Gonzalo Luna-Penafort, 21, of Santa Maria: meeting with a minor for lewd purposes in Santa Barbara County.
Arturo Deleon, 39, of Santa Maria: meeting with a minor for lewd purposes in Santa Barbara County.
Authorities emphasized that all charges are allegations and cases will proceed through the court system.
The Sheriff’s Office said the operation’s goal was both enforcement and victim recovery, noting that coordinated efforts allowed investigators to identify and assist multiple victims. The case highlights ongoing regional efforts to address trafficking and exploitation across the Central Coast.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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