Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today applauded the Department of Justice’s $1.5 million grant to the Los Angeles County Sheriff and Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) to create a new task force to investigate and prosecute human trafficking crimes.

“I’m confident that LA County and Sheriff McDonnell can use these funds effectively to combat sex trafficking,” said Senator Feinstein. “Sheriff McDonnell has a great team in place and is prepared to launch an aggressive taskforce to arrest and prosecute those who engage in the inhuman trafficking of young girls. Sex trafficking must be stopped and Los Angeles has the team to do it.”

California is one of the top four destination states for trafficking victims and they are moved throughout California at an alarming rate. The Los Angeles County Regional Human Trafficking Task Force will bring together law enforcement from the city, county, and FBI to combat human trafficking in Southern California.

Senator Feinstein and Sheriff Jim McDonnell in August convened a meeting with Los Angeles County law enforcement, public officials and advocates, including CAST, to discuss ongoing efforts to combat trafficking. The creation of a regional task force to coordinate investigation, enforcement and prosecution of traffickers was among the solutions discussed at the meeting.

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