News

One Suspect Arrested and Additional Arrest Warrant Sought For Human Trafficking Of Two Minors

LONG BEACH —  A human trafficking investigation has led to the recovery of two female juveniles reported as missing persons, the arrest of one adult suspect, and the issue of an arrest warrant for a second adult suspect.

On Sept. 16, an arrest warrant was issued for 23-year-old Semaj Kelly, a resident of the City of San Bernardino. On Sept. 18, detectives from the Long Beach Police Department’s Vice Investigations Section arrested Kelly and he was booked on one count of Human Trafficking of a victim under 18-years-old and was held on $175,000 bail.

A second arrest warrant was issued for Marcus Jones, a 27-year-old resident of the City of Los Angeles, who is currently in federal custody for unrelated drug charges.

The events began on Feb. 20, when detectives initiated a missing person’s investigation, later determined to involve the prostitution of a minor. Detectives received information that the minor was being trafficked in the City of Montclair and subsequently arranged to meet the minor at a location where detectives later recovered the victim on March 10. 

The two female juveniles, ages 15 and 16, were listed as missing persons from Long Beach and Los Angeles, respectively.

The victims who were identified by detectives were provided with victim-centered services through the Los Angeles County First Responder Protocol for Sexually Exploited Children.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Long Beach Police Department’s Vice Investigation Detail at 562-570-7219.

Reporters Desk

Recent Posts

He Tells the Truth When He Lies: A JD Vance Primer on Building Conspiracies

By Allison Butler Lately, I’ve had lyrics to ‘I’ve Got No Idols,’ by 1990s indie-darling…

14 hours ago

Long Beach Gears Up for October Arts Month with Open Studio Tours

  LB Open Studio Tour 2025, October is Arts Month In celebration of Long Beach…

14 hours ago

Charge Your Car, Not Your Wallet, Carson Launches EV Charging Wallet Pilot Program

  CARSON — The City of Carson announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind EV charging…

14 hours ago

Washington’s Complex Agenda in the Middle East

Washington hopes with all this firepower to maintain control over oil resources and stave off…

15 hours ago

California Expands Workforce Support and Protects Homeland Security Funding

Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Expanding Workers’ Rights SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Sept. 30 signed…

16 hours ago

Gaza Aid Flotillas Defy Israeli Blockade to Bring Medicine and Food to Palestinians

Denying Gazans humanitarian aid, impeding ships in international waters and arresting at gunpoint those onboard…

16 hours ago