Briefs

Crime Watch Long Beach: Human Trafficking Rescue, Shooting, Child Pornography

Juvenile Rescued in Human Trafficking Investigation

LONG BEACH — Two suspects were arrested in Long Beach for human trafficking of a 15-year-old girl on Feb. 6 after West Patrol Division officers stopped a no license plate vehicle for a traffic stop.

The scene happened near Pacific Coast Highway and Lemon Avenue shortly after 9 a.m. when officers chose to investigate the three passengers after observing a 15-year-old girl in the back seat.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 27-year-old sex offender registrant Reson Richard who had violations in his Post-Release Community Supervision conditions. The front seat passenger was also identified as 21-year-old Samantha Davis with an arrest warrant for prostitution. 

The investigation determined the suspects were human trafficking the juvenile victim who was discovered as a runaway from a placement home in the city of Simi Valley. The victim was sent to the custody of the Department of Child and Family Services.

Both suspects are Los Angeles residents and are detained on the crimes of human trafficking of a minor, pandering and pimping with a hold on a $150,000 bail.

Two People Arrested in Connection to Shooting in Long Beach

On Feb. 10, the Long Beach Police Department arrested two people for allegedly killing Richard Winfrey, a 50-year-old resident of Long Beach. The two suspects are Michael Scott Doss Jr., a 29-year-old resident of Long Beach and Christian Lucille Watson, a 30-year-old resident of the City of Carson. Both were already in custody for other charges.

Detectives believe the shooting escalated out of an argument between the suspects and the victim. Doss was arraigned for murder and Watson was arraigned for accessory to murder. Doss’ bail was set at $2 million, and Lucille’s bail was set at $1 million.

The suspects allegedly shot Winfrey on Sept. 25, 2020 at a park in the 800 block of E. 7th Street. LBPD began life-saving measures and requested paramedics. The Long Beach Fire Department came to the scene, but were unable to save Winfrey, and he died at the scene.

Long Beach Officer Arrested For Possession Of Child Pornography

The Long Beach Police Department or LBPD in a statement said that it is deeply disappointed to announce the arrest of a police officer for possession of child pornography.

In May of 2020, the LBPD received a tip regarding a possible online crime against a child.  LBPD immediately began looking into the case to gather information and identify the suspect involved.

After further investigation, detectives identified the suspect responsible for this crime as 56-year old Anthony Mark Brown, a 26-year police officer who was most recently assigned to the Long Beach Airport, as part of the Security Services Division in the Support Bureau. On Feb. 10, 2021, Brown was taken into custody while on duty, and a search warrant was subsequently served at his residence in the City of Lakewood. Brown was booked for possession of child pornography and bail was set at $20,000. 

“When the actions of an individual employee erode the values of our organization and the public trust all of us have worked so hard to cultivate, they must be held accountable,” stated Acting Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. “Protecting children is one of our most sacred responsibilities, and the actions of this officer do not represent the professionalism and commitment that all of our employees show every day while protecting our community.”

Brown has been suspended without pay pending the outcomes of both the criminal and Internal Affairs investigations which are still in progress.

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