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.
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"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.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that expanded the DMV's digital license program to 60% of California drivers.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the man was unresponsive while the dog attacked him. The victim was hospitalized in stable condition.
Trea Turner hit two homers, including the 200th of his career, and drove in five runs, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh also went deep and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-7.
Police said that the man was found naked in the grass with injuries to his face and that all of his belongings were in a nearby trash can.
Surveillance video footage showed the moments when two thieves allegedly stole up to $20,000 in memorabilia from a collectible card shop in Corona over the weekend.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that expanded the DMV's digital license program to 60% of California drivers.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the man was unresponsive while the dog attacked him. The victim was hospitalized in stable condition.
Trea Turner hit two homers, including the 200th of his career, and drove in five runs, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh also went deep and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-7.
Police said that the man was found naked in the grass with injuries to his face and that all of his belongings were in a nearby trash can.
Surveillance video footage showed the moments when two thieves allegedly stole up to $20,000 in memorabilia from a collectible card shop in Corona over the weekend.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that expanded the DMV's digital license program to 60% of California drivers.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the man was unresponsive while the dog attacked him. The victim was hospitalized in stable condition.
The Santa Barbara Courthouse has become one of the most sought-after venues in the state, giving couples the chance to tie the knot for a little over $200.
While many will seek refuge at the coast, beachgoers are warned that tropical storm Elida is bringing high surf and rip currents to SoCal.
A former LA County Sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty to lying to obtain a search warrant to get GPS tracking information for his client's estranged husband.
An investigation is underway in Laguna Beach, where a woman in her 60s was found dead inside her home on Monday.
Police said that 2,200 pounds of methamphetamine were seized during a search warrant at an Anaheim home.
A Metrolink train carrying approximately 500 people was forced to evacuate in Orange County on Saturday afternoon due to a mechanical issue.
From savory eats to everything fried and sweet treats, there are more than 100 food vendors serving up fair food, and for a chance to try a little of everything, the Taste of the Fair promotion offers samplings for $5 at participating booths.
A 24-year-old man pleaded guilty to robbing three Subway restaurants earlier this year.
Police said that the man was found naked in the grass with injuries to his face and that all of his belongings were in a nearby trash can.
Surveillance video footage showed the moments when two thieves allegedly stole up to $20,000 in memorabilia from a collectible card shop in Corona over the weekend.
An injured bald eagle was rescued from Big Bear Lake by wildlife officials after it was involved in a fight, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Riverside County signed an emergency waiver that allows El Sobrante Landfill to exceed its maximum tonnage limits.
Some Chino residents are voicing their concerns about a proposed 400-megawatt battery storage facility that is set to go before the city's planning commission on Wednesday night.
Sen. Darline Graham, who is serving out the remainder of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's term in the Senate, said she will seek a full term for the South Carolina seat her brother held for more than two decades.
The ruling comes after a coalition of 12 states sued to block the deal, arguing it would harm consumers and the entertainment industry.
Los Angeles County's chief medical examiner is emphasizing the need for greater transparency when it comes to autopsies following celebrity deaths.
The national average for a gallon of gas reached $4.003 on Monday, the first time in over a month it has crossed that threshold, AAA data shows.
The FDA said that as of Sunday, it had not found any "confirmed positive sample results for product testing" in the cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Sen. Darline Graham, who is serving out the remainder of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's term in the Senate, said she will seek a full term for the South Carolina seat her brother held for more than two decades.
Homeland Security Investigations is an arm of ICE, meaning the immigration enforcement agency would effectively be investigating incidents involving its own agents.
This is the first time in more than 150 years that a vice president's family had a child while in office.
It will be the first meeting between President Trump and Sheinbaum since December after months of verbal sparring. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is also expected to attend.
The Justice Department determined this week a federal law banning TikTok from government devices no longer applies to the social video app.
Voters in California may soon decide on a ballot measure that seeks to help the state's middle class afford to buy a home, by establishing a $25 billion loan program that would provide down payment assistance.
Some Trader Joe's shoppers will get a payout after a lawsuit alleged that the retailer's customer receipts put shoppers at risk of ID theft.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and local prosecutors urged parents to check their children's e-bikes, saying some of the vehicles may be motorcycles or mopeds capable of high speeds.
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.
Taylor Farms said none of its branded salads or kits contain the iceberg lettuce associated with the outbreak.
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, the CDC said.
Officials are still searching for the source of the outbreak, prompting consumers to seek advice on social media about which foods to avoid.
Former NFL running back Chris Johnson announced that he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in a "Good Morning America" interview.
Los Angeles County health officials on Saturday confirmed the fifth measles case of the year in an international traveler who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport earlier in the week.
Initial findings showed no evidence of rising statewide unemployment claims from workers in occupations considered highly exposed to AI.
Ford is recalling more than 250,000 vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under a previous recall meant to fix a problem that caused the engine to stall while driving, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.
The California State Assembly passed a new bill that they hope can rein in a black market in restaurant reservations.
Voters in California may soon decide on a ballot measure that seeks to help the state's middle class afford to buy a home, by establishing a $25 billion loan program that would provide down payment assistance.
Some Trader Joe's shoppers will get a payout after a lawsuit alleged that the retailer's customer receipts put shoppers at risk of ID theft.
Trea Turner hit two homers, including the 200th of his career, and drove in five runs, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh also went deep and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-7.
A warmup jacket worn by Wilt Chamberlain during the 1972 NBA finals that was found in an Oregon thrift store could fetch more than $150,000 in an auction closing Monday.
Colorado general manager Josh Byrnes helped orchestrate a trade with his former team Monday as the Rockies sent right-hander Seth Halvorsen to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor league players.
Free agent forward Matisse Thybulle has signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Monday.
Five Yankees pitchers combined on a four-hitter as New York edged the Dodgers 2-1 to split their day-night doubleheader Sunday.
A warmup jacket worn by Wilt Chamberlain during the 1972 NBA finals that was found in an Oregon thrift store could fetch more than $150,000 in an auction closing Monday.
The ruling comes after a coalition of 12 states sued to block the deal, arguing it would harm consumers and the entertainment industry.
Los Angeles County's chief medical examiner is emphasizing the need for greater transparency when it comes to autopsies following celebrity deaths.
Brenda Fricker won an Academy Award for 1989's "My Left Foot," played the Pigeon Lady in "Home Alone 2" and appeared in "A Time to Kill" and "So I Married an Axe Murderer."
After years of trying to bring the film industry back to Hollywood, it seemed that the recently passed tax incentive program was working for California. Now, more than 40 state lawmakers are warning that a provision buried in the new state budget could undo their progress.
The California DMV expanded its digital license program, allowing millions of residents to keep their licenses stored on their phones. Hunter Sowards reports.
A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy shot and killed a dog that was attacking a man inside a fenced-off yard in Lancaster on Monday morning.
Kara Finnstrom reports from Victorville, where she speaks with members of the homeless outreach team that has helped the city see a remarkable 68% drop in homeless residents over the last two years.
Luzdelia Caballero introduces Iryss Martinez, a Pomona high school senior who is on her way to UCLA after overcoming immense odds and recovering from major cranial facial surgery to finish third in her class.
Evelyn Taft goes to the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center, the San Fernando Valley's hidden gem.
Some of golf's best are facing off at the U.S. Women's Open at the Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades over the weekend. The event runs from June 2 to June 7.
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.
