Three Hillsboro men were among 44 people arrested or cited in a Portland human trafficking enforcement operation targeting sex buyers.
The Portland Police Bureau named Mynor Pablo-Morales, 24, Raul Mendez-Lopez, 58, and Anuar Lopez-Sanchez, 48, all of Hillsboro, in an Oct. 28 press release. The bureau announced the results of directed patrol missions along Northeast 82nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard. Lopez-Sanchez was also booked on four outstanding warrants.
All 44 individuals face allegations of commercial sexual solicitation under Oregon law and/or unlawful prostitution procurement under Portland city code. None have been convicted.
The operations began in June in response to community complaints about sex trafficking activity in the area, the bureau said. The effort involved multiple agencies and organizations, including the bureau's Human Trafficking Unit (HTU), the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
Some of those arrested also faced additional allegations, according to the bureau. One Portland resident was accused of driving under the influence, and others were arrested on outstanding warrants, including felony warrants. The Portland Tribune also covered the operation.
The 44 people came from cities across the region. Fourteen listed Portland addresses. Six were from Vancouver, Washington. Others came from Gresham, Beaverton, Tigard, Troutdale, Oregon City, Happy Valley, Forest Grove, North Plains, Canby, Maywood Park, Camas and Kent, among other cities.
In a separate six-month effort from April through October, the HTU said officers made 555 contacts with people believed to be selling sex along the same corridors. The bureau said 139 of those individuals were offered advocacy services and resources. The bureau partners with Safety Compass, a nonprofit serving survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking under age 25, and the Providence S.A.F.E. Center, which provides medical exams and treatment for trafficking victims.
No statement from the Hillsboro Police Department regarding the three local residents appeared in public records as of publication.
Anyone who suspects trafficking can call 911, Portland police's non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
