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cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.abercap.com damian: and human trafficking is our opening topic today here on "comunidad del valle." josué fuentes is the deputy da for the county of santa clara, just made a major burst. josué joins us on the show. josué, welcome back to the show. josué fuentes: thank you, damian. pleasure to be here. damian: thank you for being here. now, you had something called operation phoenix. tell us what happened and how it impacts the bay area. josué: operation phoenix was an 18-month investigation conducted by the santa clara county human trafficking task force, the leiht task force. it started with a single phone number that investigators realized was used as a phone to operate and manage an international human trafficking organization that originated in colombia. by the end of the investigation through the use of various investigative tools, including electronic monitoring, we were able to identify nine telephones that were being

used internationally in order to commercially, sexually exploit victim sex workers in several hotels throughout the county in bay area. damian: and so these were victims who were being lured here or coerced perhaps from colombia, méxico, other parts of latin america. josué: that is correct. several of our victims came to this country. some were coerced, some were recruited with the promise of sharing in the profits, and others were essentially threatened once they arrived in order to compliance. all of our victims are from several latin american countries. the main recruiting ground was colombia. some of the victims were in fact brought here into the country. other of victims were already in country, but just through various recruitment networks were brought into the organization. damian: so give me the numbers here. we had last count. is it 18 victims rescued and nine suspects arrested?

is that right? josué: nine suspects were arrested on the day of the operation and 11 victims were recovered on the day of the investigation, but we have identified over 27 of victims up to date. damian: all right, and we're looking at some filed footage here of the-- some of the fbi stings for this sort of thing because, you know, you would like to think that the bay area, josué, is immune to this kind of activity, but, boy, it's sure happening a lot here. it's just us keeping a closer eye on the fact that it is happening. josué: no. it is. it--you know, when we're talking about human trafficking, there's--you know, most people want to think human smuggling, but what we're really seeing is it's happening in different forms throughout the bay area. some people think it may only occur on the street where you have someone standing on the street, someone might walk up or drive up in a car and make the date that way, but we're also seeing it happening in our hotels as we saw in this case. it's happening in some of our illicit massage businesses.

it's happening in some residences, in a lot of high-rise, high-end apartment complexes where there's a lot of foot traffic. and so we're really seeing it across different spectrums throughout the bay area. and whenever we're talking about human trafficking, obviously we're talking about a very vulnerable population that is targeted, recruited, groomed, and victimized. and because of that it can make cooperation with law enforcement and our investigations more difficult, but thankfully through the resources available to us through the task force and our law enforcement partners throughout the bay area, we have been able to put together these very large cases to really not go after individual players, but go after entire organizations. damian: all right, we'll talk in our next segment about what we can do with the help that you're providing some of the rescued victims here. but let me ask you the size and sophistication of this operation. how surprised were you and all the veteran prosecutors who worked on this?

josué: we certainly learned a lot about this organization. as i stated, we initially started with just one target phone that ended up being the dispatch phone, which led us to two suspects, and then before we knew it our suspect list grew. so this is definitely a great experience for us to understand the scope and the breadth of this organization and really learning kind of the more sophisticated methods not only in terms of their recruitment but the way in which they were coercing and depriving their victims of liberty. damian: right. and you're not blinded by the--maybe the concep--the misconception that it's a one-time thing and that you're done, right? i mean, you got to keep an eye on these things happening across your county. josué: absolutely. i mean, the human trafficking task force, we are a proactive unit. so we don't sit by and wait for the phone call to tip us off, although we are available, of course, to respond to calls as needed, but we are proactive and we are constantly always going on to the next one. although in an operation like this,

we do need to take some time and to make sure that we tie up any loose ends before we move on to our next major investigation. damian: all right, we're going to show the information on the screen. but is there a tip line, josué, where that they can call? we're going to show the information on your website and whatnot. josué: yes, yeah, that information i'm sure you will put up. i think the phone number and contact information i would like to put out would be available for community solutions, a hotline for victims so we can discuss-- damian: all right, yeah, we'll talk about community solutions in our next segment, but there is the website for the da's office. you can log on and find out more about this human trafficking task force when we continue here on "comunidad del valle." stay with us. ♪♪♪

damian: we're back here with josué fuentes who's the deputy da for the county of santa clara talking about operation phoenix's operation that took down an extensive ring of human trafficking here in santa--well, across the bay area, to be honest here.

but community solutions is a partner, right? that tell us what--how they're involved, this nonprofit agency, into helping you help the victims? josué: in santa clara county we follow the lead agency, the point agency model, where we have one victim advocacy organization that kind of takes the lead and the point over others, and in this case in santa clara county community solutions is the point of contact for services for human trafficking survivors. we also partner with the ywca, acci, and others, but community solutions, they are the point agency and they provide services for our survivors, for our victims to include emotional support counseling and they can connect them if needed with a consultation regarding any immigration status, food vouchers, phone numbers, temporary housing. so they really are a--for lack of a better term, a one-stop shop in order to be able to provide our victims with

services after the point of contact just to make sure that they can hopefully recover and get out of that lifestyle. we also have a victim services unit within the district attorney's office whom through connections with the california victim compensation board can also help provide additional services and resources for our victims as well, but when we're talking in terms of on the ground recovery its community solutions is our point agency. damian: and communitysolutions.org is their website. it's pretty easy, pretty simple if anybody is--wants to log on to communitysolutions.org. and you mentioned coercion and force, josué. just learning that, you know, some of these victims, their family members in colombia and méxico are threatened if these victims do not follow through what they're being ordered to do. josué: yes. we did have some of our survivors mention that threats were made.

some were explicit, some were more subtle, and they were specifically referenced to their family back in their country of origin. and the threats were--could be--and were sometimes as subtle as wouldn't it be a shame if--and we have to have to understand the cultural context of someone on the motorcycle. and that was taken--if someone on the motorcycle came and visited your family, well, in that particular country, assassins, hitmen drive around in little mopeds, motorcycles and before they conduct, you know, any action or violence against their target. and so some of these threats were very explicitly made and other threats, they were implicitly made, and those were made specifically for some of the victims that didn't want to follow the rules of the organization because there were very certain rules such as they could not leave their hotel because this organization evolved initially starting in residential brothels and then eventually transitioning into a network of hotel brothels where they would

rent several hotel rooms and essentially keep their sex workers their captive. and in order to ensure that there was no reason for their victims to leave their hotel room, the organization utilized several drivers to help transport the victims between hotels from the airports, driving them to any appointments they may have, but more importantly bringing any needed supplies directly to the victim in her hotel room, whether it was groceries, whether it is, you know, making errands at the bank, dropping off food. they--or the organization made sure that their victims had no reason, no excuse to leave without permission. and if any rules were in fact violated, some of these threats, direct implicit and other means were used in order to keep their sex workers in line, and it was really to make sure that they were available throughout the day to receive and service the clients so that the organization could make money. damian: you mentioned a lot of foot traffic. what are the telltale signs if i'm going to see something that

is maybe nefarious happening? i know that a lot of us like to keep to ourselves. "it's none of my business." it might be your business if you see something weird, rare going on. josué: great question, damian. and i think when we're talking about, we need to take the location. so if we're talking about a residential apartment, a residential brothel, we're seeing a lot of high-density apartment complexes being used. they tend to be a kind of more on the higher end, you know, where two-bedroom apartment, it can cost you, you know, $3,500, $3,800, $4,000 to try to blend in. but if any neighbor were to see constant foot traffic of single male adults into a single apartment, 15, 20, 30 minute increments happening throughout the day. normally, these brothels will operate from 8 in the morning till about 1 or 2 in the morning, and then they stop for the night. so if they see a lot of that type of foot traffic, it's definitely something that should be a red flag. it may not always be it, but that's definitely a telltale

sign, and especially if the only people you see exiting are single male adults and you don't really see any other occupant coming out. that's normally a sign that someone is in there, and they're not allowed to leave. and when we're talking about the hotel and within the hotel context, it's really the same. you don't really see anyone coming out other than the same single male that is entering and exiting within those 15, 30, maybe 45 minute blocks depending on the arrangement made. and those are definitely telltale signs. or you might see the occupant of the dwelling, the hotel room, the resident, maybe they're only leaving and exiting in the evening, but it's just to take out the trash and then they go directly back to their apartment. so those are some very obvious signs, and they--if you do see that, don't hesitate to report. no one's going to get in trouble. we have our ways of investigating to make sure that people's privacy are in fact kept just in case it's a misunderstanding 'cause we don't want anyone to get in trouble who doesn't need to.

damian: all right, josué fuentes, some valuable information. appreciate your input, deputy da for santa clara county. thank you for being on our show today. josué: thank you. damian: and more information. again, we gave you the website. that's communitysolutions.org. they're the agency that takes care of these victims after there's been--they've been rescued, but the--here is the website for the deputy--the county deputy da's office in santa clara county. you can log on and find out more information. up next here on "comunidad del valle" we'll hear from downtown san josé to the east side. what's happening? some changes there. stay with us.

damian: from downtown san josé to the east side, to the north side and south side, everything is happening. here to fill us in is karina dominguez with the city of san josé, joining us from city hall. karina, welcome to the show. karina dominguez: thank you so much for the invitation. it's a pleasure to join you. damian: thank you. tell us about your role with the city 'cause it's pretty unique. karina: absolutely. i have the very important and a very unique role with the city of san josé.

my title is i'm the outreach coordinator for small businesses. and the primary function of my job is to ensure that our small businesses in our entire city have the resources that they need in order to sustain themselves in our city and to ensure that they have the resources that are out there. most importantly, the city of san josé is committed in ensuring that we build a trusting relationships because we know that when we build trusting relationships we build strong businesses, which in essence helps build a strong economy for all of us. damian: and the one important thing to realize is that, you know, after the pandemic businesses had to change their model because the--maybe the way they were doing things is not the way that's going to make them be prosperous from here on out. so you're here to kind of give them the keys and guide them through that. karina: absolutely, one of the things that we know is that small businesses are the backbone of our cities in our region. and it was really important for us to pivot along with them, as many of them shifted their models from a traditional

brick-and-mortar to many moving their businesses on online. so it was really important for us to develop the different tools and ensuring that the resources are a hand click away in order for them to ensure that they know where to go and most importantly to keep the sustainability of their business because in the city of san josé we're very fortunate to have generations of individuals who are owning their business and they're giving their business to the next generation. so we definitely want to ensure that we are there with them as they pivot through all the different changes that they have experienced, especially after the global pandemic. damian: and that's part of the 2022 global task force-- or the recovered task force. that's what kind of--i guess the city came up with and said, "okay, here's how we need to pivot." karina: absolutely, our leadership here in the city of san josé that includes our city council, our mayor, as well as the different directors in the different departments, we all are working together to ensure that our small businesses are getting the tools

that they need to be successful, and we are very excited. on thursday we are going to be kicking off this new group that is formed of community and neighborhood businesses all over the city of san josé that are going to help our leadership team, and we're very fortunate that we're going to have two amazing city council members who are going to be leading this group. and so we invite the community to definitely tune in to that. and also we're going to be kicking off our entrepreneurship event tomorrow, and we invite everyone to join us from 10 to 2 at city hall. damian: and, i mean, we're talking about the little saigons to japantowns to a story hien khanh, i mean, the diversity of this city, and maybe drawing them together and see what our--not only our differences are, but maybe our similarities. karina: absolutely. and that's something that we're so fortunate to have in the city of san josé. our business neighborhoods really symbolize the diversity that makes us so special and so strong in our city.

and so we currently have 11 business neighborhoods that include the alameda, alum rock, alum rock village, gaia willow, downtown, east santa clara, japantown, little saigon, luna park, tully road, and willow glen. and so all of these neighborhoods, it's important for our individuals to know that they have board of directors. they're currently forming business associations because they understand that when we work together and when businesses work together, we all thrive, especially in challenging situations. damian: absolutely. well, again, this is the office of economic and cultural development for the city of san josé. there's the website for more information and the phone number. we'll be back and wrap it up with karina dominguez. stay with us. ♪♪♪

of san josé here on "comunidad del valle." and, karina, there is--the number that really strikes me is the fact that more than 60% of businesses in san josé are

minority-owned. karina: yes, damian. one of the most important things that we would love to share with our community is that 60% of our small business owners are from ethnic and minority backgrounds and over half are immigrants. and it's so important for us to support our local businesses and our entrepreneurs that really make up the diverse and the unique communities that we all shop for every day. it's important for individuals to understand that owning a business doesn't only help provide upward financial mobility for that individual family, but it also does it for the entire neighborhood. we know that small business owners are able to invest back in their communities, and it could be either by supporting their little league, supporting their community centers. we know that community owners that know their residents, they know their clientele that come in for generations at a time. and so it's really important for our department to ensure that we are working in partnership with those individuals that own the

businesses in the city of san josé, but most importantly to form business associations that are going to help sustain the businesses in our city and really form a thriving community. damian: that's awesome. we're approaching the holidays. it's not just christmas in the park anymore. we're trying to expand this all over the city. talk about holiday san josé, the new program. karina: absolutely, we're extremely excited to share the kickoff tomorrow of holiday san josé. and holiday san josé consists of 11 business neighborhoods, the alameda, alum rock, alum rock village, gaia willow, downtown, east santa clara, japantown, little saigon, luna park, tully road, and willow glen. these are businesses where you could shop for and find out--if you've never been to them, find out a map on where to dine, shop, and play in the city of san josé in any of these business corridors. you could find those maps by visiting our website.

it's important for you to share our hashtag, #sjeconomy, and also share your pictures because it's really important for us to show our business owners support in the city of san josé. and remember that every time you shop local that that funding comes back tenfold into our community and really help sustain the businesses that we all love to shop at. damian: and there'll be holiday themes in these business districts? karina: yes. it's exciting. each business district will be hosting their own theme. they'll be hosting their own holiday celebrations. and you could find all of that by visiting our website. we will direct you to each business neighborhood which has their own programming, and we invite you to take part of the fun. damian: well, it sounds like it's some great things happening in san josé, as i'm sure across the bay area. any final thoughts, karina, before we let you go? karina: absolutely. the city of san josé is committing--committed in ensuring that our small businesses thrive,

but also ensuring that our neighborhoods are thriving along with them. again, we encourage you to shop local this holiday season. damian: all right, karina dominguez with the city of san josé, thank you so much for being on the show. thank you. karina: thank you very much. damian: all right, it's the office of economic and cultural development for the city of san josé. there is their website for more information and also the phone, where a lot of things going on. well, if you want to get a hold of us here on "comunidad del valle," you can follow me on instagram. my handle is @newsdamiantrujillo. and we thank you so much for sharing another part of your sunday with us here on "comunidad del valle." we're going to leave you with a special tribute to the mission district and the young latinas who are making it happen. we'll see you next week. ♪ the women, the women of the world. ♪ ♪ we are the future, the future that's untold. ♪ ♪ we are the women. ♪ ♪ we bring life to the world. ♪ ♪ we are the future. ♪ ♪ our future will unfold. ♪

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♪net. >> tonight, we remember former first lady rosalynn carter who died today at the age of 96. the former first lady passed away peacefully this afternoon surrounded by family. she was president jimmy carter's life long love and his closest adviser inside and outside the white house.