A 20-year-old man was arrested on human trafficking charges after allegedly using Snapchat to lure a minor from Porterville to Richmond, according to the Porterville Police Department
Police were contacted on Dec. 295 after a juvenile reported that a man had contacted her on Snapchat and arranged to meet her in Porterville. Investigators say the suspect, Mario Anthony Godinez of Richmond, then drove the girl to his home in Richmond, where she stayed for several days before being returned to Porterville, according to police.
Detectives found that Godinez had prior arrests on human trafficking-related charges and was under court-ordered supervision at the time, authorities said.
On Dec. 31, officers executed warrants at Godinez’s Richmond residence with help from multiple agencies, including the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, and the Richmond and Benicia police departments. Godinez was arrested without incident and booked into the Tulare County South County Detention Facility, where he is being held without bail. The case has been sent to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office for review.Â
Police say evidence recovered during the search may point to additional victims. The investigation is ongoing.Â
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Det. Madrigal or Sgt. Stark with the Porterville Police Department at (559) 782-7400, through the department’s Facebook or Instagram pages, or submit information anonymously.
