14 year prison sentence for Jose De Jesus Anguiano for coercion and enticement of four minors

An investigation by California Department of Justice San Diego San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force resulted in the 14 year prison sentence of Jose De Jesus Anguiano for coercion and enticement of four minors. Anguiano entered a guilty plea on February 24, 2026, to a felony count of coercion and enticement of a minor. Pursuant to the plea agreement, he also admitted to a series of illicit acts involving additional children during a period spanning from April 2022 through August 2024, including instances of solicitation and rape. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

More details were released by the California Attorney General Office just now.

“This sentence proves that combating the trafficking and exploitation of children remains an utmost priority for my team and me at the California Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “We hope that seeing justice served brings a sense of closure, finality, and peace to the victims and their loved ones as they look toward the future. I am grateful for the hard work of my team that made securing a prison sentence in this case possible."

"There’s an irony in a child predator calling the cops on another criminal,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “But more important is the justice this sentence serves. It’s a clear reminder to predators that the law is not your shield or your weapon. The law belongs to the victims.” 

The case involving Anguiano began when he used social media to contact minors for sex, offering items such as alcohol, marijuana, and money. On August 29, 2024, the situation came to light after Anguiano contacted the San Diego Police Department to report being the victim of an attempted armed carjacking in an alleyway. Investigating officers determined that the incident occurred during a meeting Anguiano had arranged with a minor for sex and the minor’s trafficker attempted to carjack him. Upon reviewing the circumstances, the San Diego Police Department referred the matter to the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force for a specialized investigation into the suspected exploitation.

This case was investigated by the DOJ-led San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force. DOJ also leads the Fresno Human Trafficking Sexual Predator Apprehension Team and partners with the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. Since 2021, these teams have arrested 1,167 traffickers and assisted 1,196 survivors. Human trafficking involves the exploitation of individuals for sex or labor through force, fraud, or coercion. Traffickers often target people who are already vulnerable due to circumstances such as poverty, housing instability, or other risk factors. DOJ continues to work with law enforcement partners across the state to combat human trafficking, support victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.