In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the OC Sheriff’s Department encourages the community to learn the signs of human trafficking and how to report it.

Human Trafficking is a crime that uses force, coercion or fraud to compel a victim to provide labor services or engage in commercial sex. Traffickers may use fear or intimidation, or the promise of security and safety, in an attempt to control their victims.  

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has dedicated resources to fight human trafficking in Orange County, including specialized investigations teams that conduct operations to help victims of exploitation and hold their traffickers accountable. In 2022, investigators arrested 32 suspects on human trafficking-related charges and rescued 10 juvenile victims.

In addition to investigations, the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC), the county’s multi-agency fusion center, collects and analyzes human trafficking information to assist with investigations across the county.

The community also plays an integral role in helping us fight human trafficking. Here is what you need to know and how you can help:

PREVENT IT:

• Young victims are often groomed online through social media and gaming applications, especially those with direct messaging or voice messaging functions.
• Talk to your children early and often about the dangers of engaging with strangers online. Make sure they know never to accept messages or chat with someone they don’t know.
• Consider adding security measures to limit the access your children have to online applications.
• Routinely monitor their online activity and check for any concerning behavior.

KNOW THE SIGNS:

• Trafficking victims may start dressing or behaving differently. They may also have unexplained items or cash.
• Victims also may have new tattoos and although not a guaranteed indicator of human trafficking, imagery including dollar signs, diamonds, a crow or a barcode can be indicative of human trafficking.
• Sometimes trafficked victims are fearful of law enforcement or government officials and may have trouble making eye contact.
• Victims also may have untreated injuries.

HOW TO HELP:

• Never directly approach an individual believed to be a victim of human trafficking. This is not only for your safety, but the safety of the person being trafficked.
• Contact law enforcement immediately if you suspect human trafficking activity.
  • Report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888
  • Text a tip to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at by texting “help” or “info” to 233733.
  • Online tips can be submitted directly to OCIAC at ociac.ca.gov.  

Yorba Linda, Ca. (Jan. 11, 2023): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Jan. 13, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Yorba Linda.  

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with deputies checking drivers for proper licensing.

The Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2019, 1,066 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads.

The Sheriff’s Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

• Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
• See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
• Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
• Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

SAN CLEMENTE, Ca. (Jan. 9, 2022): Captain James Christian has been selected as the new Chief of San Clemente Police Services. He will begin serving the city on Friday, Jan. 13.

“Having served the city of San Clemente in previous assignments and as a resident of this community, I look forward to leading an exemplary team of men and women dedicated to keeping our city safe,” Captain Christian said. “I am humbled to have been selected and excited to begin this new assignment.”

Captain Christian joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1997 after graduating from California State University, Sacramento with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology.

As a deputy, he was assigned to Custody Operations and Patrol Operations. In his time on patrol, Captain Christian served as a field training officer, a motor deputy, and as a member of the Special Enforcement and Directed Enforcement teams, assignments that handle specific crime problems or concerns in the community.  

Captain Christian then promoted to Investigator and worked in San Clemente General Investigations, the Special Victims Detail and the Homicide Detail. 

After promoting to Sergeant, Captain Christian worked as a supervisor in the Central Jails Division before serving as an Investigative Sergeant for the North Operations Division. He then was assigned to the Professional Standards Division as an Internal Affairs Sergeant.

Most recently, Captain Christian served as the Lieutenant for the Central Jails Division, managing day-to-day shift operations.  

In addition, Captain Christian has extensive specialized training in various aspects of investigative techniques and strategy, leadership and critical incident response. 

When not working, Captain Christian enjoys spending time with his family on snowboard trips and supporting his children’s sporting events.  

San Clemente Police Services current Chief of Police Services, Captain Tony Benfield, is being promoted to Commander of the Sheriff’s Department’s Investigations Division. Captain Benfield begins his new assignment Jan. 13. 

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. (Jan. 9, 2022): The city of Laguna Niguel has selected Captain Isaac Flores to serve as the new Chief of Police Services.

“I am honored to have been selected to lead an exceptional team of sworn and professional staff committed to the safety and wellbeing of the residents of Laguna Niguel,” Captain Flores said. “Having served this community under Captain Virgil Asuncion, I look forward to continuing our well-established dedication to service and professionalism.”

Captain Flores has been with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for more than 21 years. As a deputy, he was assigned to Custody Operations and Patrol Operations, where he served the city of Stanton and mentored new patrol deputies as a Field Training Officer.  

Captain Flores then transferred to the Homeland Security Division to work as the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator, managing the deployment of law enforcement resources across the county and state to assist in large-scale incidents such as search and rescue efforts, civil unrest and natural disasters.  

He then promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the Theo Lacy Jail before transferring to the Training Division to supervise a full-time training unit at the Tactical Training Center. Captain Flores transferred to the city of Laguna Niguel in 2020, first as a Patrol Sergeant and then as the Administrative Sergeant.  He then worked Internal Affairs before promoting to Lieutenant and returning to the Theo Lacy Jail to oversee day-to-day operations.   

Captain Flores has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Cal Poly Humboldt. He has a background in tactics and emergency management.  He is also a college instructor and certified to teach Crowd Control, Less Lethal Munitions, Taser, Firearms, Tactics, Active Shooter Response, and Advanced Incident Command System.  

Captain Flores will begin his new role Jan. 13 when Captain Virgil Asuncion promotes to the rank of Commander, serving Southwest Operations, which includes the city of Laguna Niguel. 

STANTON, Ca. (January 7, 2023): On Saturday, January 7, 2023, at around 12:45 a.m., deputies were called to the 7000 block of Katella Avenue in the city of Stanton regarding an assault.

Deputies arrived and discovered the victim, a man in his 40s, who appeared to have multiple stab wounds. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital; however, the victim was later pronounced deceased.

OC Sheriff’s Homicide investigators responded and began their investigation. Based on the interviews conducted by investigators and the evidence at the scene, Mustafa Mohamedat Mohamed, 37, of Westminster, and Amro Mahmoud Abdelfattah Shahin, 37, of Santa Ana, were arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder.

Official identification of the victim is pending notification by the Coroner Division to next of kin.  

SANTA ANA, Ca. (December 29, 2022): Investigators are looking to identify a person of interest in the 1993 homicide of 61-year-old Alan Jay Schwalbe.

On Wednesday, August 11, 1993, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the 300 block of 22nd St in Unincorporated Costa Mesa and discovered Mr. Schwalbe stabbed to death in his home.

Although there appeared to be evidence of a struggle, no signs of forced entry were discovered, and it did not appear the location had been ransacked. 

Although the case was rigorously investigated and re-investigated over the years, Mr. Schwalbe’s case remained cold, but OC Sheriff investigators are again taking up the case.

“The technology used to process forensic evidence is continuously growing and expanding. Items that may have been undetectable just a few short years ago now have the possibility of being discovered and these discoveries can foster new investigative leads,” said Investigator Bob Taft, who has specialized in colds cases for the Sheriff’s Department for the past six years. “In addition to new technology, people’s friendships, alliances and associations change over time. People who may have been reluctant to come forward during the original investigation may feel more at ease coming forward now because of a change in these associations.”

After reviewing the case details and evidence that had been collected from the original crime scene, several items of evidence were re-submitted for additional forensic testing, with the hope new forensic technology could discover evidence that was previously undetectable. The results of this new analysis are still pending.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (714) 647-7055 or coldcase@ocsheriff.gov or Orange County Crime Stoppers at (714) 628-7675 or www.crimestoppers.org.

Santa Ana, Ca. (Dec. 24, 2022) – On Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, an inmate housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana died at the hospital.

The decedent is Sean Conroy Whiting, 35, who was booked into jail on Dec. 21 by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for violation of a domestic violence restraining order.

Earlier in the day on Dec. 23, Whiting was transported to OC Global Santa Ana for a medical issue. He died at the hospital around 4:30 p.m. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology testing and an independent autopsy.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (Dec. 19, 2022): San Juan Capistrano Police Services and Sheriff’s Department Investigations are attempting to locate Shirley “Jean” Airth, 94, who was last seen leaving her home in San Juan Capistrano on foot.   

At approximately 5 p.m. on Dec. 18, San Juan Capistrano Police Services received a report that Shirley had left her home on the 32000 block of Via Buena in San Juan Capistrano and was last seen wearing a yellow and white shirt, black sweater with white sparkles, and using a black cane. Shirley is described as a female who is approximately 5’6”, 160 lbs, with light gray hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Sheriff’s Department Dispatch at 714-647-7000.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Nov. 23, 2022): OC Sheriff Special Victims Detail investigators arrested a local high school teacher after finding a series of lewd text messages with an individual he believed was a minor.   

At approximately 7 p.m. on Nov. 18, North Patrol deputies received a report from a resident in unincorporated Santa Ana reference a video posted on social media. In the video, a male subject confronted the teacher alleging an inappropriate text message exchange with a minor.

The OC Sheriff Special Victims Detail investigated and determined the subject in the video posed as a minor to conduct the text message conversation. Investigators on Nov. 23 arrested Roger Kavigan, 55, of Long Beach, and booked him into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of contacting a minor with intent to commit sexual assault.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 714-647-4006. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (Nov. 21, 2022): Proactive enforcement efforts in response to an increase in retail theft activity has resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects responsible for stealing nearly $43,000 in property during more than 52 retail theft incidents. 

Since Oct. 4, OC Sheriff’s Mission Viejo Police Services (MVPS) responded to an increased number of theft reports at major retail centers and recovered $25,000 in stolen property. In multiple incidents, organized retail theft groups are suspected of committing the thefts.  

“Leading in to the holiday season, MVPS has increased partnership efforts with private sector retailers, increased our operational deployment, and have undercover units working within the city’s shopping centers,” said Captain Christopher McDonald, Chief of Police Services for the city of Mission Viejo. “As a result, the apprehension of theft suspects and recovery of stolen property has increased significantly.” 

The Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center’s OC Shield, a public-private sector partnership program, also is focusing efforts on retail theft. Most recently, law enforcement and private sector representatives from Orange and Los Angeles counties discussed effective prevention and collaborative investigation strategies.

“Criminals look to capitalize on the busy holiday shopping season, and it is an issue for retailers across Orange County,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “While we proactively address retail theft in our communities in a variety of ways, we also need the community to partner with us.

“We encourage retailers to immediately report any theft and ask shoppers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”

To report a retail theft call OC Sheriff Dispatch at 714-647-7000 or 949-770-6011. In an emergency or to report a crime in progress, call 9-1-1. For holiday safety information and resources visit ocsheriff.gov/staysafeoc.

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