Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced today that on March 20, 2024, Judge Andrew Liu sentenced Obdulio Aparicio, age 38 and a resident of Castroville, to 5 years in state prison after he was convicted of one count of human trafficking of a minor for commercial sex purposes, a felony offense, one count of child abuse, and one count of misdemeanor domestic violence. These are Aparicio’s first convictions of any kind. The crime of human trafficking of a minor for commercial sex purposes became a “strike” offense for purposes of California’s “Three Strikes” law after SB14 took effect in January 2024. However, the date of the offense in this case predates the change in the law, and therefore will not constitute a strike offense for Aparicio. In addition to the prison sentence, Aparicio will have to register as a sexual offender for the remainder of his life.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office became aware in April 2023 that Aparicio sold 14-year-old Jane Doe, who was his family member, to Javier Saavedra. Further investigation confirmed that Aparicio had negotiated the sale of Jane Doe for $12,000.00. At the time of the report, Jane Doe was living with 20-year-old Saavedra. The investigation also revealed that Aparicio had battered his wife by pushing her down, which caused a bruise and laceration to her elbow.
On October 25, 2023, Saavedra was convicted of committing statutory rape upon Jane Doe and oral copulation of a person under 18 years of age, both felony offenses, in Monterey County Case No. 23CR003693. Saavedra was sentenced to 270 days in jail, 3 years of felony probation, and was ordered to attend a sex offender treatment program.
This case was diligently investigated by Monterey County Sheriff’s Detectives Rosio Silva and Christian Zarate. Jane Doe was assisted by Victim Advocate Estella Sanchez.
If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in commercial sex work, or some other type of labor, call 911 or reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
