Oxnard Man Charged with Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation

By Redaccion
[email protected]

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Victor Manuel Avalos, Jr. (DOB 03/06/03), of Oxnard, was charged on January 23, 2024, with 10 felony counts related to alleged human trafficking and child exploitation.

The charges include three counts of unlawful act with a child 10 years old or younger, three counts of forcible lewd act upon a child, causing a minor to engage in commercial sex acts, advertising child sexual assault material (CSAM) for sale, and possessing CSAM. Each count also carries a special allegation that Avalos, Jr. took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense. His arraignment was continued.

In December 2023, the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Unit of the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, began investigating CyberTips involving someone posting CSAM videos of a teenage female on Snapchat. Those same CyberTips also reported that the account had posted a “menu” of available CSAM content for others to order and purchase.

On January 19, 2024, investigators from the FBI Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from detectives with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant at a home in the Nyland Acres community of unincorporated Oxnard. Law enforcement contacted Avalos, Jr. at the residence and learned he had allegedly obtained CSAM from children online and is accused of selling the material for personal profit. Avalos, Jr. is also accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child.

“The Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force is not only committed to locating and rescuing children from sexual assault, exploitation, and from human trafficking, but we are also committed to locating and arresting anyone who willingly sought out and purchased this material,” District Attorney Supervising Investigator Terry Dobrosky said.

Law enforcement believes there may be additional victims that Avalos, Jr. had been in contact with using the Snapchat name “Rhythmic.” Anyone with information is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, is prosecuting the case.

The continued arraignment is scheduled for February 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Avalos, Jr. remains in custody without bail.

Case: 2024001961

Defendant Information:

Victor Manuel Avalos, Jr. (DOB 03/06/03)
Oxnard

Charges:

PC 288.7(a) – Unlawful act with a child 10 years old or younger
PC 288.7(b) – Unlawful act with a child 10 years old or younger
PC 288.7(b) – Unlawful act with a child 10 years old or younger
PC 288(b)(1) – Forcible lewd act upon a child
PC 288(b)(1) – Forcible lewd act upon a child
PC 288(b)(1) – Forcible lewd act upon a child
PC 236.1(c)(2) – Causing minor to engage in commercial sex act
PC311.4(b) – Using minor for commercial sex acts
PC311.10(a) – Advertising for sale or distribution of child sexual abuse material
PC311.11(a) – Possession or control of child sexual abuse material

Special Allegations

CRC 4.421(a)(11) – Defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense