Two suspects were arrested for alleged human trafficking after a police investigation was prompted by two runaway teen girls.
Riverside police began investigating in May when they were notified of the teen girls who had run away from a local group home in Riverside.
Detectives discovered the girls may have been victims of human trafficking and had engaged in prostitution in the Los Angeles area. Both were later found and safely returned to the group home.
Detectives continued investigating the case and identified two suspects believed to have been exploiting the teen victims through prostitution.
On July 26, Bonnie Edney Fingerson, 23, was arrested in Santa Clara County for human trafficking of a minor, enticing a minor into prostitution, pimping a minor under the age of 16 and aiding a prostitute. She is being held on $85,000 bail.
The second suspect, Michael Jay Johnson, 28, of Los Angeles, was arrested on July 29 for human trafficking of a minor, pimping a minor under the age of 16, lewd and lascivious acts with a child, possession of a firearm by a felon and violation of his parole.
Police said Johnson is also a known gang member who was on parole for pimping a minor. He is being held on $200,000 bail.
“The reality is that when teens run away, they face immediate and serious risks,” said Lieutenant Matt Lackey of the Riverside Police Department. “Within hours, they can become targets for predators, fall victim to human trafficking, or be subjected to other violent crimes. We urge parents, guardians, and community members to talk with their teens about these dangers, report runaway youth without delay, and work closely with law enforcement to help ensure their safe return.”
Anyone with further information is urged to call the Riverside Police Department’s Vice Unit at 951-353‑7614 or email RPDVice@RiversideCA.gov.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the “Atlas 1” mobile app by using the “Send a Message” feature. App downloads for Apple devices can be found here. Android device downloads can be found here.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
