HomeMy WebLinkAbout13_04_05 Human Trafficking Arrest 25763
13-25763
BAKERSFIELD POLICE
DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Greg Williamson, Chief of Police
Contact: Michaela Beard
Public Information Office
661-326-3803
mbeard@bakersfieldpd.us
For Immediate Release April 5, 2013
On Monday, February 4, 2013, the Bakersfield Police Department Child Abuse and
Sexual Assault Unit was informed of an investigation involving possible human
trafficking.
The investigation revealed a thirteen-year-old female was contacted by the suspect,
identified as Jerome Henderson, 22, who took her to a local hotel. While at the hotel,
Henderson forced the juvenile to participate in sexual acts. Henderson attempted to
take the victim to Sacramento, California, with the intent of forcing her to engage in
prostitution. The victim was able to alert the Bakersfield Police Department and she
was not transported to Sacramento, California. She was uninjured.
During the investigation, officers were able to identify two additional victims of human
trafficking by Henderson.
Henderson was located in Sacramento, California, where he was taken into custody on
an arrest warrant issued by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. On April 4, 2013,
Henderson was transferred to the Kern County Jail.
Henderson is being charged with human trafficking of a minor and attempt pandering of
a minor.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Bakersfield Police
Department at (661) 327-7111 or Detective Don Cegielski at (661) 326-3556.
You can now send an anonymous text message to the Bakersfield Police Department. It’s quick and it’s easy.
Simply enter 274637 into your phone and text BPDCRIMES along with your message. The text is sent to the
police department and the sender remains completely anonymous.
Tips can also be anonymously sent through the smartphone “TipSubmit” mobile App or via email at
https://www.tipsubmit.com.