Alleged sex trafficker booked into SLO County Jail 4 months after initial arrest
An alleged sex trafficker was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail four months after his initial arrest, according to a San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office news release Thursday.
In early April, the Sheriff’s Office’s Counter Human Trafficking Team — a specialized team which formed in January — conducted an operation to rescue a pregnant woman who was potentially being trafficked, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Through an undercover prostitution sting, it was determined that the 31-year-old woman was subjected to commercial sexual exploitation and being controlled by a trafficker, according to the release.
The Sheriff’s Office said the team was able to identify the trafficker as Anthony Craig Richardson Gaines, a 33-year-old man from Modesto.
However, due to coronavirus measures, the state’s zero bail policy and the need for a follow-up investigation, Richardson Gaines and the sex trafficking survivor were released, the Sheriff’s Office said.
According to the agency, a follow-up investigation allowed the Counter Human Trafficking Team investigators to secure to get an arrest warrant for Richardson Gaines for the crimes of human trafficking, pimping and a prison prior enhancement.
Richardson Gaines was arrested in Modesto on Aug. 18 with the help of the Modesto Police Department. The Sheriff’s Office said he was extradited and transported to the San Luis Obispo County Jail on Aug. 26, according to SLO County Jail booking logs.
Richardson Gaines was being held Thursday at the San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $550,000 bail.
