Ventura County Sheriff – Incident Press Release
Sheriff’s detectives arrest (A) Michael Scott 26 year old for multiple felony violations related to human trafficking and the sexual assault of a child.
On December 15, 2020, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, whom work in collaboration with the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, were advised by the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force of a Camarillo resident, Michael Scott, who was possibly engaging in conversation with an undercover officer about paying money to gain access to a juvenile for the purposes of committing sex acts.
In coordination with the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit, an investigation was immediately initiated. Detectives located Scott and executed a search warrant at his residence. Detectives seized several items of evidentiary value that implicated Scott in the reported attempts. During this investigation, investigators also determined that Scott had sexually assaulted a local Ventura County juvenile.
On December 16, 2020, Scott was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for the following violations: PC 288.7(a) – Unlawful Sexual Act with a Child Under 10 Years of Age, PC 288(a) – Lewd Acts Upon a Child Under 14 Years of Age, PC 266i(b)(2)- Attempt Pandering of a Minor Under 16, PC 236.1(b) – Attempt Human Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and PC 181- Attempt to Infringe on Personal Liberty.
Scott remains in custody on $500,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on December 18, 2020.
The Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force is made up of members from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura Police Department, Santa Paula Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, California Department of Justice, and several victim service providers. The primary mission of the task force is to combat sex and labor trafficking and assist victims within Ventura County.
Detectives encourage victims to contact “211” or local law enforcement if you believe you are a victim or know a victim of human trafficking. Support and services are also available to victims through the Ventura County Family Justice Center which can be reached at (805) 652-7655 or by email at [email protected].
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