HSI San Diego, multiagency task force sends California man to prison for 106 months for transporting teens for prostitution

SAN DIEGO - A Southern California man was sentenced in federal court Jan. 5 to 106 months in prison for transporting two teens from San Diego to Phoenix, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas, for the purpose of prostitution.

U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Bencivengo also admonished Kenneth Tenorio, 54, of National City, saying, "You just took advantage of their vulnerabilities to put money in your pocket." She noted the maximum sentence of 120 months was appropriate, but gave Tenorio credit for the time he spent in custody in Texas on local charges prior to the federal proceedings.

According to court records, Tenorio's conduct spanned multiple states and involved multiple victims, including juveniles. The defendant exploited women and children who had been removed from their homes and placed in the foster care system as part of his overall scheme to profit from their commercial sex work.

Tenorio pleaded guilty on Aug. 8, 2023, admitting that he transported two of his victims from California to Arizona and Texas for the purpose of offering them for commercial sex for his own financial gain. The defendant used his Megapersonals account - a dating website frequently used to solicit prostitution - to post commercial sex advertisements featuring the two victims wearing lingerie. The defendant expected his victims to provide him with a portion of the proceeds they earned from engaging in commercial sex acts.

According to his plea agreement, beginning in September 2020, the defendant also trafficked a 15-year-old identified as JF1. The defendant knew JF1 was a minor and sent her text messages to recruit and entice her to engage in prostitution.

The plea agreement reflects that in October 2020, JF1 stayed with the defendant at his residence in National City, and he used false California identification to post online commercial sex advertisements featuring the girl. He also instructed her how to engage in prostitution on "the blade" - a slang term for an area of town where prostitutes and sex workers solicit buyers - and informed her that he would provide protection for a fee. The defendant admitted that JF1 worked "the blade" for him a number of times in October 2020, and each time, he drove her there and picked her up, collecting a portion of the illicit proceeds she earned.

"Sex trafficking is a deplorable crime that impacts victims for a lifetime," said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. "This sentence brings justice to the victims and the community is safer with this defendant off the streets. People being exploited are often overlooked and isolated. If you suspect someone is in an unsafe situation or they are being controlled by a 'pimp,' romantic partner, manager or employer, or anyone who monitors their movements, their spending and/or their communications, please report it to law enforcement. If we know about it, we can offer help."

"Predators like Mr. Tenorio take advantage of vulnerable people and underage victims. They alternate locations, thinking law enforcement won't catch on. But that's not true, and the results of this case, as well as this substantial sentence should be a warning to other criminals," said Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy. "I'm proud of our detectives for playing a key role in the initiation and follow up of this investigation. The Chula Vista Police Department remains dedicated to working with all of our law enforcement partners and community organizations to combat sex trafficking and hold those who participate in these unconscionable acts accountable."

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations, the Chula Vista Police Department, and the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, a regional, multiagency effort led by the California Department of Justice dedicated to supporting survivors and holding traffickers accountable. The task force comprises numerous federal, state and local agencies, as well as the Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. The investigation was also supported by the San Diego District Attorney's Office.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. Indicators that someone is being trafficked include frequent running away; sudden separation or isolation from friends and loved ones; changes in behavior, appearance, and attire; new friend groups; unexplained new or multiple cell phones; and secrecy with phones and social media.

If you believe you may know someone who is in trouble, held in a forced work situation, or being exploited, please contact HSI at 866-347-2423, your local police department, the sheriff or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI's workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI's international presence represents DHS' largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.