Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa DA secures county’s first felony conviction under new sex buyer law

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37-year-old Cedric Demarcus Kelly of Richmond has history of arrests

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California — A new California law targeting sex buyers has resulted in Contra Costa County’s first felony conviction under the statute.

37-year-old Cedric Demarcus Kelly of Richmond (born Feb. 17, 1989) pleaded guilty on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, to one count of engaging or agreeing to engage in prostitution with a minor. The case is notable in that it was prosecuted under an amendment to Penal Code 647(b), which became effective on January 1, 2026. The amendment now allows prosecutors to charge the buyer with a felony when the minor was induced to engage in commercial sex through trafficking, or when the buyer is more than three years older than the minor.

In the case of Kelly, the minor, who was 16 years old at the time, engaged in an act of prostitution with Kelly. On February 21, 2026, Richmond Police Department responded to a 911 call from the minor after she reported a conflict with her trafficker. She noted to officers that she had sex for money with Kelly, which led to his arrest. The case was referred to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on February 25th. After a review of the evidence, the case was filed with the court that same day. Before the case reached the preliminary hearing stage of the legal process, Kelly entered a plea agreement on April 22nd.

Kelly was sentenced by Judge Michael Nieto to 180 days in county jail, two years of formal probation, which includes a search and seizure condition — at any time, without needing a warrant — for evidence of solicitation. The court also issued a nighttime stay away order from the 23rd Street corridor in Richmond, and Kelly must complete an educational course on human trafficking and the exploitation of minors.

“Contra Costa County’s first felony conviction under the amended Penal Code 647(b) statute marks a turning point in how we prosecute those who buy sex from minors,” District Attorney Diana Becton said. “This law recognizes that buyers are not bystanders — they are participants in the exploitation of minors. We are grateful to the Richmond Police Department and the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force for their swift response and thorough work on this case.”

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch tall, 175-pound Kelly is Black and is being held in the West County Detention Center.

According to localcrimenews.com, Kelly has been arrested beginning in 2023, three times by Richmond PD and once by El Cerrito PD for crimes including sodomy with a person under 18 years, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, oral copulation with a person under 18 years, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, drug possession including for sale, vandalism: paint and driving without a license.

About the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force

The Task Force is a collaborative and multidisciplinary body that brings together diverse organizations from the local, state and federal levels to combat human trafficking throughout the county. The Richmond Police Department is a founding member of the Task Force and sits on its Core Leadership Team.

If you have information to share about potential sex or labor trafficking taking place in Contra Costa County, please call the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking & Workplace Justice Tip Line at (925) 957-8658 (non-emergency tips only).

Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office issues 2025 Annual Report

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Source: Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Showcases “justice reform progress”

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton issued the office’s 2025 Annual Report, showcasing the justice reform progress made for the county’s residents.

“We are making meaningful progress with a sharp focus on public safety, pragmatic solutions and alternatives to a one-size-fits-all criminal justice system,” said District Attorney Becton. “By modernizing our infrastructure and focusing on victim-centered practices, we are ensuring that accountability and support go hand-in-hand to keep our communities safe”

Becton wrote in her introductory message of the report, “We have strengthened partnerships with law enforcement agencies, public officials and community organizations to ensure public safety efforts are both effective and equitable. The professionalism and tireless commitment of our Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Advocates, and Support Staff make this great work possible.

“In this annual report, you’ll see the results of that work in some of the following areas:

  • Prosecuting serious and violent felonies and misdemeanors
  • Implementing restorative justice programs for young people and adults
  • Resolving cold cases – including unsolved homicides
  • Creating prosecutorial units focused on community violence, retail crime, hate crimes, human trafficking, and public integrity
  • Establishing an analytics team to identify crime trends, improve case outcomes, and allocate resources for more efficient crime prevention

“The path to improving public safety is challenging, filled with setbacks, resistance, and obstacles. But despite these challenges, we’ve made real progress building a smarter, more effective justice system with solutions that work.”

“This is the kind of progress that moves beyond the status quo, toward a more just and safe community for all. Thank you for your continued trust,” she concluded.

Source: Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Key highlights from the 2025 Annual Report include:

  • Prosecution Results: The office’s Direct Court Unit achieved a 96% felony conviction rate for jury trials in 2025 — 15 percentage points above California’s statewide average of 81% — securing guilty verdicts in 25 of 26 felony cases tried. The Homicide Unit conducted 15 homicide trials, resulting in a total of 14 convictions, 12 of which were murder convictions – a 93% conviction rate. The Interpersonal Violence Unit conducted 20 trials involving domestic partner crimes, sexual assault, and elder abuse achieving at 85% conviction rate in the cases which reached verdicts.
  • Victim Support: The Victim Witness Assistance Program served over 10,600 victims, provided close to 48,000 forms of services, and secured $9.8 million in restitution. The office also welcomed a second facility dog, Fenner, who joined Bear in providing comfort to crime victims — particularly children — throughout the criminal justice process.

The report also adds, “Our work extends beyond prosecution. We’ve led in statewide efforts on ethical AI and launched the Underserved and Unserved Survivor Program. The office expanded trauma-informed support for victims—particularly those impacted by gun violence and unsolved crimes. Our superpower is protection with purpose, combining innovation, data, and human care to seek justice for victims while preventing future harm.”

  • Restorative Justice and Alternatives to Incarceration: The office’s Neighborhood Restorative Partnership Program (NRP) continued to demonstrate remarkable outcomes since its 2022 launch. Of 119 participants who have completed the program, only one — a recidivism rate of 1% — went on to reoffend, compared to California’s statewide misdemeanor recidivism rate of 21.1%. A total of 288 cases have been referred to the program since its inception, with 59 participants currently enrolled.
  • Cold Case Breakthroughs: The Cold Case Unit secured multiple convictions in crimes dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s using advanced DNA technology and genetic genealogy. Notable resolutions included the conviction of James Grimsley for the nearly three-decade-old murder of Terrie Ladwig, a transgender woman in Concord, and guilty pleas in a 2007 Pittsburg homicide after touch DNA linked the suspect to the crime.
  • Public Accountability: The office secured guilty pleas in all six cases stemming from its joint FBI investigation into public corruption and bribery among Antioch and Pittsburg police officers — reinforcing the principle of equal justice under law. Launched in March 2022, the investigation uncovered a scheme in which officers illegally canceled traffic tickets in exchange for personal benefits, resulting in some officers losing their law enforcement certifications.

According to the report, “The bribery and conspiracy charges were serious, but the investigation uncovered other troubling behavior as well. When investigators reviewed the officers’ messages, they found a large number of racist, sexist, and homophobic texts shared among more than a dozen officers.

“These messages raised concerns about fairness in hundreds of criminal cases that those officers had worked on. As a result, our office reviewed hundreds of cases to determine whether the officers’ bias affected the outcome.”

  • Expanding Access to Justice: District Attorney Becton cut the ribbon on December 15, 2025, at the grand opening of a new branch office at 3890 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg, housing approximately 30 staff members and bringing justice services directly to East County residents. “East County matters, and the people who live and work here deserve accessible and responsive justice,” Becton said at the ceremony. (See related article)

The full 2025 Annual Report is available for public viewing at Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office 2025 Annual Report Final.

About the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Established in 1850, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office serves a diverse population of 1.15 million residents across four office locations in Martinez, Pittsburg and Richmond. Over 175 years, the office has grown to employ approximately 250 staff members, including attorneys, inspectors, victim-witness advocates, legal assistants, case preparation analysts and administrative staff, operating under the principles of equal justice, transparency, and public safety. For more information visit District Attorney | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this article.

Walnut Creek double murder defendant charged in 2024 LA County murder plot

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L.A. man with criminal history also charged

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – A Walnut Creek man already facing double murder charges in the 2025 killings of his wife and mother-in-law now faces an additional homicide charge for a separate 2024 killing in Los Angeles County tied to the Walnut Creek case.

43-year-old Howard Chen Hao Wang and 33-year-old Demarques James Pearl of Los Angeles, (born 5/8/1992) have been charged in the murder of Chengli Li, who was 41 at the time. Li, prior to his shooting death in San Gabriel, CA on June 8th, 2024, was the romantic partner of Howard Wang’s girlfriend, 45-year-old Yan Wang. Yan is also a defendant in the Walnut Creek murders. (See related articles here, here, here and here)

Howard Wang and Demarques Pearl planned the murder of Li before travelling together from the Bay Area to Los Angeles County on June 7th. The following day, Li was shot and killed outside of his apartment in San Gabriel.

The Los Angeles County murder of Li will be joined with the Walnut Creek double murders to be prosecuted in Contra Costa County. Both Wang and Pearl were scheduled to be arraigned Monday, March 30, 2026, at the A.F. Bray Courthouse’s Annex in Martinez. However, defense attorneys asked the court to reschedule both arraignments on the charges. Pearl will be arraigned on April 1st and Wang on April 14th at 1:30 pm in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, six-inch tall, Pearl is Black and has been arrested five other times since 2016 for crimes including inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, battery and gun charges.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, he weighs 200 pounds and his being held in the Martinez Detention Facility.

Case No. 01-26-01851| The People of the State of California v. Howard Wang

Case No. 01-26-01850 | The People of the State of California v. Demarques James Pearl

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Benicia couple charged with child abuse in e-moto crash in Walnut Creek

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The minor was riding a Sur-Ron Light Bee e-Moto bike when the crash occurred. Photo: sur-ronusa.com

They “allowed the minor to repeatedly ride the e-moto from age 14-17”

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a mother and father with child abuse related to the operation of an electric motorized bicycle, known as an e-moto bike, by an unlicensed minor who suffered injuries after crashing into another vehicle in Walnut Creek.

58-year-old Steven Leroy Crews and 58-year-old Jeanna Marie Gabellini of Benicia will be arraigned on March 27th at 8:30 am in Martinez on one count of child abuse [PC 273a(a)], which is a misdemeanor.

Mr. Crews and Ms. Gabellini are alleged to have willfully and unlawfully permitted a child to be injured or placed in a situation where the child’s health is endangered on or between October 19th, 2024, and September 18th, 2025.

It was on September 18th, 2025, around 3:05 pm, that a John Doe minor related to Crews and Gabellini crashed his Surron Light Bee e-Moto bike into a minivan on Treat Boulevard and Arkell Road in Walnut Creek. The minor suffered severe injuries that required emergency care at a local hospital. The driver of the minivan was uninjured and stayed at the scene.

Walnut Creek Police investigated the collision, and through witness statements and other evidence, determined the child was unlawfully riding the e-moto on Treat Boulevard in an unsafe manner and at unsafe speeds prior to the crash. Moreover, Crews and Gabellini allowed the minor to repeatedly ride the e-moto from age 14-17, ignoring repeated citations and warnings from law enforcement.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “E-bikes and e-motos are more prevalent on city streets. Now that California has new laws on the books to address public safety offenses related to e-bikes and e-motos, parents must understand the dangers these vehicles can pose to children if operated unlawfully and without proper driver education.”

The City of Walnut Creek has helpful information on the different classifications of e-bikes, e-motos, e-scooters, e-dirt bikes, and how to operate them safely and lawfully.

Case No. 01-25-04762 | The People of the State of California v. Steven Leroy Crews

Case No. 01-25-04777 | The People of the State of California v. Jeanna Marie Gabellini

Walgreens ordered to pay $6 million for business code violations including expired food, drugs

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By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton and other District Attorneys in the State of California reached a settlement with Walgreen Co. for $6,000,000 for violations related to expired baby food, drugs, and overcharging customers.

The civil case and settlement centered on the company violating state law by charging their customers more than the lowest price posted or advertised price. The allegations that the company was in violation of these laws were based on inspections of scanners. Moreover, the civil lawsuit led to a resolution that Walgreens failed to comply with laws that prohibit the selling or offering to sell over-the-counter drugs, infant formula, and baby food products beyond the expiration date.

The court ordered Walgreen Co. to pay $5.4 million in civil penalties and $600,000 to reimburse state district attorney offices for the cost of investigations, attorneys’ fees, and other costs associated with enforcement. Contra Costa County will receive $612,000 of the civil settlement and $10,000 to cover the costs.

Walgreen Co. will also implement a three-year program to promote pricing accuracy and the removal of expired products from its store shelves. This program requires store managers to conduct monthly checks of all aisles and shelves of medication, baby food, and formula, and remove any expired items. Managers must also conduct weekly store walks and remove signage displaying inaccurate sales tag information and post signs informing customers of Walgreens’ Price Promise Guarantee. The Price Promise Guarantee means that if a customer notices a scanned price is higher than the advertised price, the customer will be charged the lower price.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “Customers should have confidence that companies that sell food and formula to infants and children are doing so by being scrupulous about the safety of the products in their stores. The same goes for medications that are sold beyond their expiration dates. The work of my office and those of other district attorney offices in the state shows that when we work together to enforce laws, we not only ensure compliance – we’re also restoring trust and safety in our communities.”

Case No. 1-13-CV-239110 | The People of the State of California v. Walgreen Co., an Illinois Corporation

DA charges Butte County man with murder in Lafayette homicide

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Suspect used hatchet to kill 34-year-old Christopher Jaber

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a Butte County man with the murder of a Lafayette resident.

35-year-old David Swank Prince is scheduled to be arraigned in court on March 25th for the murder of 34-year-old Christopher Jaber. Prince unlawfully and with malice aforethought took the life of Jaber with the use of a hatchet.

On March 21, 2026, around 11:30 am, a relative of Christopher Jaber called 911 to report a suspicious individual with a hatchet in the backyard area of their property. The caller told dispatch that the individual was breaking into an Accessory Dwelling Unit where Jaber resided. When officers from the Lafayette Police Department arrived at the scene, they located Prince a short distance from the ADU, where he was detained and subsequently arrested. (See related article)

The murder appears to be a targeted act. The investigation into the motive for the murder and whether Prince and Jaber were acquainted is ongoing.

Prince is set to be in court at 1:30 pm in Martinez on Wednesday, where he could enter a plea to the murder charge and enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon. He is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Case No. 01-26-01746 | The People of the State of California v. David Swank Prince

Concord woman charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated

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Took life of 41-year-old Pleasant Hill female cyclist

Bail set at $350K, bonded out of custody Thursday morning

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – On March 17, 2026, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office charged a Concord woman in a DUI-related hit-and-run collision that took the life of a Pleasant Hill woman.

45-year-old Angelina Marina Solis faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury, and leaving the scene of an accident. Three charges have enhancements: One with fleeing the scene of a crime and two for great bodily injury to the victim.

At approximately 1:49 a.m. on March 8th, Solis was traveling northbound on Contra Costa Blvd. when she ran a red light at the intersection of Taylor Blvd. in Pleasant Hill. Her vehicle struck a 41-year-old Pleasant Hill woman who, along with another individual, was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. After the collision, Solis fled the scene.

Pleasant Hill Police responded to 911 calls from bystanders and immediately rendered aid to the female bicyclist who had sustained critical injuries after being struck by the suspect’s vehicle. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other individual was uninjured.

During the investigation into the fatal crash, officers located and arrested Solis later that morning. She was taken into custody with bail set at $350,000, booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and posted bail the same day.

Officers continued their investigation and presented the case to the District Attorney’s Impaired Motorist Prosecution and Crimes Team on March 17th. The IMPACT Team, a specialized unit dedicated exclusively to prosecuting serious DUI fatality and injury cases, reviewed the case and filed charges in Superior Court.

This afternoon, Solis appeared in court and entered not guilty pleas to all charges and denied all enhancements. Her next court appearance – a preliminary hearing — is scheduled for March 27th at 8:30 a.m. in Department 27 at the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “Driving under the influence is a serious and entirely preventable problem. This tragic incident is exactly why the IMPACT Team exists — to hold accountable those who choose to drink and drive and, as a result, kill or injure others. We hope that greater awareness of the legal consequences leads to more people making responsible choices before getting behind the wheel.”

Case No. 01-26-01626 | The People of the State of California v. Angelina Marina Solis

See People v Angelina Marina Solis Complaint

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report

Jury convicts former Walnut Creek attorney for sexual abuse of minors

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Former attorney Jonathan Dean Bishop. Photo source: AVVO.com

51-year-old Jonathan Dean Bishop victimized three minors under 14, one was under age 10 over more than 16 years; faces multiple life sentences

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – On Monday, March 2, 2026, a Contra Costa County jury convicted a former Walnut Creek real estate attorney on 27 felony counts related to the sexual abuse of children and the possession of child sexual abuse material.

Jonathan Dean Bishop, 51, (born 1/21/1975) faces multiple life sentences after being convicted on 24 counts of committing lewd acts upon three minor victims, each under the age of 14, identified in court documents as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3. The convictions carry sentencing enhancements and cover the following periods:

  • Jane Doe #1: June 2012 – June 2021
  • Jane Doe #2: February 2012 – February 2021
  • Jane Doe #3: September 2004 – September 2014

Moreover, the jury convicted Bishop of sexually abusing Jane Doe #1, who was under 10 years old at the time, with the abuse occurring between June 5, 2010, and June 4, 2018. He was also found guilty of possessing over 600 images of child sexual abuse material depicting two of the minor victims — evidence recovered from a hard drive seized by police officers at Oakland International Airport on December 13, 2023, when Bishop was taken into custody upon arriving from Florida, where he had been residing and practicing law.

“The bravery shown by these victims was extraordinary, and their courage made this conviction possible,” said Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton. “We are grateful for the outstanding work of law enforcement and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose forensic and investigative efforts were critical to this case. I am also proud of our entire trial team — the Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case, our legal clerks, witness coordinators, victim advocates, and investigative staff — whose dedication and professionalism were evident every step of the way. Our office will always stand with the most vulnerable members of our community and remain committed to holding those who harm children accountable.”

According to the State Bar of California, Bishop was admitted to the on Dec. 1, 2004, became Inactive on Feb. 1, 2025, then on July 1st, last year he was deemed “Not eligible to practice law in CA” based on the Administrative Action of being Administrative Inactive for Client Trust Account Protection Program  noncompliance.

According to his bio on AVVO.com, “Mr. Bishop received a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University in 2000, and his law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2004. Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Bishop worked in the education and investment banking industries. While in law school, Mr. Bishop interned with the San Francisco Public Defenders Office, an international intellectual property law firm located in Bangkok, Thailand and worked for the State Bar of California’s Office of Professional Competence. Mr. Bishop was also an author of the ‘Ethics Update’ article for the State Bar of California, Calbar Journal from 2002 thru 2004.”

According to lawyerdb.org, his practice areas included, “Real Estate Litigation, Construction Defects Litigation, Condominium, Construction Litigation, Real Estate/Construction Transactions, Business Litigation, Boundary Disputes, Real Estate, Conveyancing, Conservation Easements, Easements, Land Acquisitions, Business Law, Construction, Contracts, Corporate and Litigation.”

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, seven-inch tall, 169-pound Bishop is Hispanic, but also listed as White, and being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 17 at 8:30 AM in Bay Court, Richmond, Dept. 02.

Case No. 01-23-03948 | The People of the State of California v. Jonathan Dean Bishop

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

DA clears Richmond Police in fatal 2025 shooting of Angel Montaño Magallan

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Richmond Police confront Angel Alexander Montaño Magallan holding two knives as he emerges from his apartment before the fatal shooting on Aug. 4, 2025. Video capture source: Richmond PD

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – A public report on a 2025 fatal use-of-force incident involving Richmond Police has been released by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

The report is the final step in a countywide protocol wherein the District Attorney’s Office conducts an independent investigation into an officer-involved fatal incident. Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “The release of this report reflects my office’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the review of officer-involved shootings. We believe the public deserves a clear and thorough account of the facts surrounding these incidents, and that making our findings available to the community is essential to maintaining public trust.”

On August 4, 2025, at approximately 5:02 p.m., Richmond Police Department Dispatch received a 911 call regarding 27-year-old Angel Alexander Montaño Magallan. The caller, Magallan’s brother, reported that Magallan was armed with a knife and threatening to kill him and their mother. He also disclosed that Magallan had a history of mental illness and was living with the family in an apartment in the City of Richmond.

Multiple Richmond Police officers responded to the call and staged nearby to form a response plan. While waiting for additional resources, officers were advised that the family members could not leave the home because Magallan was blocking the front door, creating additional concerns of a possible hostage situation.

Video capture of Magallan emerging from his apartment with two knives in his hands. Source: Richmond PD

Moments later, dispatch advised officers that Magallan armed himself with two knives, prompting officers to move closer to the residence so they could quickly respond to a possible attack. As they approached, Magallan’s mother yelled out from inside the home, which caused officers to believe Magallan may be actively stabbing family members inside the home.

Upon opening the front door of the residence, Officer Nicholas Remick observed Magallan standing over his brother and mother while holding an object in his hand. Magallan immediately advanced toward Officer Remick, who could now see that Magallan was wielding a knife in each hand. Officer Remick repeatedly ordered Magallan to “stop” and retreated from the doorway, but Magallan continued to advance. It was not until Magallan had closed to within 5 to 10 feet — near enough to deliver a fatal knife strike to a retreating officer — that Officer Remick and Officer Stocking discharged their firearms, fatally striking Magallan. Officers then entered the apartment and confirmed that the remaining family members were physically unharmed.

After a review of all available facts surrounding the incident, the District Attorney’s Office finds that the use of deadly force was reasonable under the circumstances. As such, no further action will be taken in this case.

The District Attorney’s Office has sent a copy of the report to the Richmond Police Department, the California Department of Justice, and is available to the public on the Contra Costa District Attorney’s website.

See Richmond PD press release of incident, Critical Incident Video, plus, videos of officer body cam footage and other information, here.

Super Bowl anti-human trafficking operations net 29 traffickers, recovery of 73 victims

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Source: Santa Clara County DA’s Office

Including 7 traffickers in Contra Costa County; CCDA, Pittsburg PD participate

By Lt. Joshua Singleton, Task Force Commander, Human Trafficking Task Force, Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office                 

Days after the Super Bowl, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Task Force reported its own statistics: numbers that showed enhanced investigations resulted in the arrests of 29 traffickers and the recovery of 73 sex trafficking victims, including 10 minors. One of the victims, who was being trafficked in Oakland, was 12 years old.

Law enforcement operations were held throughout 11 Bay Area counties during the lead up to one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Similar enforcement is being prepared for the deluge of fans coming to see the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament games at Levi’s Stadium between June 13 and July 1.

Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen said: “Beyond football, the Super Bowl was a triumph of Bay Area law enforcement planning, organization, cooperation, and safety. Human trafficking is not a game, it’s a tragedy. However, our team was very successful. Close to 70 agencies effectively discouraged traffickers from exploiting the game and victims. For traffickers that still came to the game from all over the world with bad intentions, many ended up behind bars.”

The HTTF helped organize the efforts of 67 law enforcement agencies from Sacramento to Monterey.

For two weeks before the big game, the Task Force set up a command center in Sunnyvale populated with more than 20 analysts from various agencies, such as the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the DA’s Crime Strategies Unit, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Pittsburg Police Department, federal agencies and partners from community-based organizations such as In Our Backyard, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The analysts worked on tips in real time and worked alongside agents in the field to do investigations and make arrests. Operations that often take weeks took minutes in the enhanced Human Trafficking Tactical Operations Center.

Launching almost 40 operations, investigators recovered 20 victims from San Mateo County alone. Seven traffickers were arrested in Contra Costa County; six in Monterey and Solano counties. In Santa Clara County, seven victims were recovered, two traffickers arrested and a firearm was seized.

View the In Our Backyard 2026 Super Bowl Report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.