The Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Taskforce (LARHTTF) executed search warrants at five locations throughout Southern California on Thursday, May 5, 2016, which led to the arrest of two suspects (Michael Shaw, male black, 36 years old, from Santa Clarita and Eric Hamwey, male white, 31 years old, from Encino) for Human Sex Trafficking and a third suspect (Ashley Peart, female black, 26 years old, from Santa Clarita) for Robbery during their investigation.

During a call for service in the City of Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita Valley Station deputies learned Suspect Shaw was trafficking an adult victim for sex and had violently assaulted her when she attempted to flee. Suspect Shaw fled the location prior to the deputies’ arrival.

LARHTTF detectives learned Suspect Hamwey had previously befriended the victim on Instagram and flown her out to California from Texas for the purpose of commercial adult sex work. After a short time, Suspect Hamwey “sold” the victim to Suspect Shaw.

After being trafficked by Suspect Shaw for several weeks, the victim attempted to flee and was assaulted by Suspect Shaw and Suspect Peart who also robbed the victim. The victim sustained serious injuries during the assault.

On May 5, 2016, at 7 a.m., personnel from the LARHTTF and Santa Clarita Station executed search warrants at two locations in Santa Clarita. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation served search warrants at locations in North Hollywood and Encino.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Detective Support and Vice Division executed a search warrant at a second location in Encino.

During the service of the warrants, a second victim (female adult) of human sex trafficking was discovered and all three suspects were arrested. Over 100 items of evidence were recovered, including three handguns, cash, computers, and numerous cellular telephones.

The suspects were transported to and booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station for Sex Trafficking. Suspect Shaw was held in lieu of $300,000 bail, Suspect Hamwey was held in lieu of $200,000 bail, and Suspect Peart was held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

On May 9, 2016, the District Attorney’s Office at the San Fernando Courthouse filed two counts of Human Trafficking and one count of Dissuading a Witness against Suspect Shaw. His exposure on all three counts is 25½ years state prison confinement. One count each of Human Trafficking was filed against Suspect Hamwey and Suspect Peart, and their exposure is 20 years state prison confinement.

The operation included task force partners from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the District Attorney’s Office (LADA), LAPD, State Parole, and the Department of Children and Family Services. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) provided wrap-around services and care to both victims.

If you are the victim of Human Trafficking or know someone who is call this Hotline number 1-888-539-2373.