Local Man Makes Rescuing Young Victims Of International Sex Trafficking His Mission
"This is the most significant problem, plague I call it, on Earth," Tim Ballard says.
Watch CBS News
"This is the most significant problem, plague I call it, on Earth," Tim Ballard says.
Local and federal authorities will announce the results of a task force's eight-month effort to target human sex traffickers in the Long Beach area and rescue their victims rather than arrest them for prostitution.
A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to more than six years in state prison after pleading guilty to human trafficking and prostitution charges involving 16- and 17-year-old girls.
With tougher laws on the books to punish human traffickers and more awareness about those forced into sexual slavery, prosecutors, lawmakers and police met Friday to plot a plan to eradicate human sex trafficking.
District Attorney Jackie Lacey Wednesday announced a diversion program aimed at getting young victims of sex trafficking off the streets.
The murder Tuesday of 17-year-old Aubreyanna Sade Parks of Yorba Linda, shows how deadly the life can be.
Seventeen people were arrested Wednesday in California, Arizona and New Jersey under an indictment that targets a gang based in San Diego's North Park area.
Hundreds of residents, along with community leaders, gathered in Compton Thursday night to march against sex trafficking.
Two former teen prostitutes shared their stories with CBS2/KCAL9's Melanie Woodrow, revealing some of the dismal details that embody the hard reality of sex trafficking.
A Long Beach man is being charged with Child Sex Trafficking after allegedly forcing a 17-year-old girl to perform sexual activities with up to 50 or more men for profit.
A Long Beach man has been charged with forcing women he recruited online to work as prostitutes.
Two young girls were rescued and 15 people were arrested during a sex trafficking sting in Riverside and San Bernardino counties last week.
Some children in L.A. County's foster care system are reportedly being recruited as child prostitutes and officials want a new task force to address the problem.
The number of people identified as victims of human trafficking in California has increased steadily since 2010 as the crime has become a growing threat, California Attorney General Kamala Harris reported Friday.
Law enforcement, transit and business leaders Thursday unveiled a multimedia ad campaign aimed at raising awareness of child sex trafficking.
A Long Beach was arraigned Monday in federal court after being indicted by a grand jury with sex trafficking and forced labor charges.
When you think about the horrors of human trafficking or sex slaves, you likely think of it as a problem happening "over there."
Sex trafficking is often associated with Eastern Europe or Asia, but few recognize to what extent people are exploited in the United States. Maria Suarez was one such victim who's now working to raise awareness about sex trafficking in Los Angeles.
iSanctuary, a nonprofit organization, is planning a "purchase with a purpose" trunk show Sat., Oct. 9, at A Place of Our Own in Los Alamitos.
Shaedon Sharpe had 25 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 132-116 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were playing without top scorer Luka Doncic.
Mikael Granlund scored at 4:02 of overtime, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 to sweep a two-game weekend set in the Freeway Faceoff rivalry.
Dramatic video shows the motorcyclist on the hood of a nearby car after he was ejected from the bike in Long Beach last weekend. The married couple remains hospitalized a week after their fiery crash.
Nearly 25 years after a 32-year-old woman's car was found abandoned and she was found dead in Hesperia, authorities have made an arrest for her murder.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says that federal agents wrongfully detained a member of his office on Friday.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says that federal agents wrongfully detained a member of his office on Friday.
Dramatic video shows the motorcyclist on the hood of a nearby car after he was ejected from the bike in Long Beach last weekend. The married couple remains hospitalized a week after their fiery crash.
SoCal Edison filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County and other agencies over the Eaton Fire on Friday.
Police have arrested a third person in connection with the murder of a Tennessee man who was affiliated with the Inland Empire religious group "His Way Spirit Led Assemblies."
Nearly 25 years after a 32-year-old woman's car was found abandoned and she was found dead in Hesperia, authorities have made an arrest for her murder.
Dramatic video shows the motorcyclist on the hood of a nearby car after he was ejected from the bike in Long Beach last weekend. The married couple remains hospitalized a week after their fiery crash.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says that federal agents wrongfully detained a member of his office on Friday.
SoCal Edison filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County and other agencies over the Eaton Fire on Friday.
Rick Caruso, the runner-up in the Los Angeles Mayoral race four years ago, announced he will not pursue elected office at this time.
Beverly Hills police said the suspect beat the man with a metal object before running him over with his vehicle.
Federal prosecutors charged a man who allegedly threatened to kill Vice President JD Vance during his Disneyland trip last year.
An Orange County man has been posting social media videos of car crashes in front of his house to hopefully spur safety changes at his Huntington Beach intersection.
After his son died while hiking Mount Baldy, Kenneth Muensch Casanova called on Angeles National Forest officials to require permits on the dangerous mountain.
A Santa Ana community scrambled to ensure their 101-year-old neighbor wasn't left behind when a fire broke out in her condo.
Orange County prosecutors said the suspect was allegedly sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl in Anaheim.
Nearly 25 years after a 32-year-old woman's car was found abandoned and she was found dead in Hesperia, authorities have made an arrest for her murder.
Police have arrested a third person in connection with the murder of a Tennessee man who was affiliated with the Inland Empire religious group "His Way Spirit Led Assemblies."
A man was arrested after he allegedly broke into a Redlands home on Thursday night, but only after he was confronted by the homeowner, who shot him, police said.
Deputies said that the driver lost control of their vehicle and slammed into the building at around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.
After his son died while hiking Mount Baldy, Kenneth Muensch Casanova called on Angeles National Forest officials to require permits on the dangerous mountain.
The FBI plans to extradite Alejandro Rosales Castillo, 27, who was wanted for the killing of a co-worker in 2016.
"It's as definitive as we're going to get," CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder said of the new research, which found no connection between Tylenol and autism or ADHD.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to placate President Trump and build a strong relationship between the U.S. and Mexico.
A 21-year-old who demonstrated in Santa Ana, California, against the shooting death of Renee Good says exercising his right to free speech nearly cost him his life.
Kyle Tucker has agreed to a $240 million, four-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, bolstering the franchise's chance for a third consecutive World Series championship.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says that federal agents wrongfully detained a member of his office on Friday.
Mr. Trump previously threatened to impose tariffs against countries that do not support his plans to acquire the territory.
The country's leader criticized President Trump on Saturday, blaming him for "casualties, damages and accusations" against Iran.
A Minnesota judge put limits Friday on the tactics that federal law enforcement are permitted to use in their handling of protests over the Trump administration's surge of immigration resources to Minneapolis.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to placate President Trump and build a strong relationship between the U.S. and Mexico.
San Francisco officials said Tuesday that the city has filed a lawsuit against leading manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, accusing them of producing products linked to serious health issues and alleging that the companies knowingly made the foods addictive.
A bill that would reverse a 25% tax increase on California's legal cannabis industry is heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, after being approved by the legislature.
Meal kit delivery firm HelloFresh will pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of misleading customers and making it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions.
With the help of her daughter and her 5th-grade class, CBS News California (KCAL) Investigative reporter Julie Watts investigates "Sephora Kids" concerns.
A Southern California man has pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme that stole more than $2 million from San Francisco-based food delivery company DoorDash, federal prosecutors said.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
"I don't know how I'm going to pay for this," said one person with an Affordable Care Act plan that will cost her $1,100 a month starting in January.
San Francisco officials said Tuesday that the city has filed a lawsuit against leading manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, accusing them of producing products linked to serious health issues and alleging that the companies knowingly made the foods addictive.
In an interview with CBS News, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary explains what went into the decision to drop the most serious warnings on hormone therapy for menopause.
At least 11 people have contracted Salmonella linked to powder supplements sold at Sam's Club stores nationwide, health authorities said.
About 30% of San Francisco was without power at the height of the outage, according to utility provider PG&E.
The DMV said it is giving Tesla Motors 60 days to address its misleading use of "autopilot," or it could have its dealer license temporarily suspended.
California is set to join a growing list of states banning the practice of cat declawing, under a new law taking effect in January.
San Francisco officials said Tuesday that the city has filed a lawsuit against leading manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, accusing them of producing products linked to serious health issues and alleging that the companies knowingly made the foods addictive.
Waymo has begun offering autonomous robotaxi service using freeways for the first time in select cities in California and Arizona, the company announced.
Shaedon Sharpe had 25 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 132-116 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were playing without top scorer Luka Doncic.
Mikael Granlund scored at 4:02 of overtime, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 to sweep a two-game weekend set in the Freeway Faceoff rivalry.
Braden Smith stole the ball and scored a layup with 23 seconds left, helping No. 5 Purdue edge Southern California 69-64.
John Mobley Jr. scored 28 points and knocked down a career-high six 3-pointers as Ohio State pulled away in the second half for an 86-74 win over UCLA on Saturday.
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson will be sidelined for three to five weeks after undergoing a procedure to treat a left thigh injury.
Kianna Underwood, a former Nickelodeon child actress, was identified as the woman killed in a hit-and-run in Brooklyn.
Another allegation against Busfield was reported to law enforcement the same day he turned himself in, according to a court filing.
In a video provided to TMZ on Tuesday, Timothy Busfield said the allegations "are all lies."
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at the age of 68, his first ex-wife revealed on Tuesday.
From historic wins to powerful speeches, here are the highlights and most memorable moments from the 2026 Golden Globes.
Dramatic video shows the moments a motorcycle was engulfed in flame and a motorcyclist on the hood of a nearby car after they were ejected in a grisly crash in Long Beach last weekend. The married couple remains hospitalized a week after their fiery crash, where Zach Boetto speaks with their family.
The Monterey Park community gathered on Saturday for a day of resilience in remembrance of the 2023 mass shooting that left 11 people dead.
Family members of local artist Harry Blitzstein hosted an event at his Boyle Heights gallery on Saturday after he died at 87 last week.
Authorities are investigating after a man was found shot dead in East Los Angeles on Saturday morning.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says that federal agents wrongfully detained a member of his office on Friday. Lauren Pozen reports.
Widely considered the greatest architect of his time, Frank Gehry helped shape Los Angeles' skyline.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The Franklin Fire in Malibu quickly grew overnight and threatened several homes. Evacuation orders were issued and Pepperdine University instructed students to shelter in place.
Several people have been injured and multiple homes burned after the Mountain Fire broke out Wednesday morning in Ventura County, burning over 10,000 acres within hours.