Felony charges are expected to be filed Monday against a young man accused of compelling a minor to work as a prostitute in the Thermal area.
Jose Manuel Quevedo Pimentel, a 21-year-old Thermal resident, was taken into custody Thursday and booked at the Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of pimping, human trafficking of a minor and unlawful sex with a minor, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
He remains behind bars in lieu of $1 million bail.
Sgt. Jose Tijerina said Pimentel was picked up during when a search warrant was served in the 76-000 block of Pierce Street in Thermal pursuant to a human trafficking investigation.
Additional information, including the age or sex of the victim, was not provided.
Anyone with additional information was urged to call sheriff’s Investigator Julio Oseguera with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force at 760-836-1600. Anonymous tips can be reported to Coachella Valley CrimeStoppers at 760-341-7867.