Feds say teen sex trafficker arrested in sweeping Southern California Operation

by: Josh DuBose

osted: Mar 12, 2026 / 07:32 PM PDT

Updated: Mar 12, 2026 / 07:36 PM PDT

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A 30-year-old man from Los Angeles is accused of trafficking two of the 37 minors rescued in and around Southern California earlier this month during Operation Safe Return.  

The sweeping operation, which ran from March 2 to 6, was spearheaded by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, along with federal agents and local law enforcement partners.  

Investigators identified 50 children between the ages of 14 and 17 who had been missing from one month to two years. Nearly 40 kids were rescued in California, Arizona and Nevada, many of whom had been victims of sexual assault and trafficking, officials said.  

While seven people were arrested during the operation, some 13 cases remain open and active.  

Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles, has identified one of the suspects as Shannon Devon Hilt, who was reportedly trafficking two girls, aged 14 and 15.

“According to the criminal complaint filed, between February and March 2026, the two minor victims are alleged to have been recruited and transported by Hilt to perform commercial sex acts for his financial benefit throughout various locations in Los Angeles County, including the Figueroa Corridor, Riverside County, and Las Vegas,” federal investigators said in a news release. “Additionally, it is alleged that Hilt controlled the minor victims’ cellular telephones and assaulted one of the minor victims. Hilt was arrested on March 5 with a woman and two minor girls.” 

During his initial court appearance in U.S. District Court in L.A., a federal judge ordered Hilt to be held without bail.  

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The 30-year-old is facing federal charges for sex trafficking of minors and is scheduled to appear in court again on March 30.  

If convicted as charged, Hilt faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison for each count.  

“The sex trafficking of minors is unfortunately a lucrative enterprise that is prevalent across Southern California,” HSI Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang said. “The arrest of Hilt and rescue of close to 40 child victims over the course of one week highlights the importance of close collaboration with our partners in the relentless fight to end human and sex trafficking.”