SLO County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Makes Six Arrests During Operation Reclaim and Rebuild
Author: District Attorney
Date: 2/6/2026 3:19 PM
District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Operation Reclaim and Rebuild was once again a success taking place January 25 to January 31, 2026. The County’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force enforcement effort resulted in the rescue of three female victims and disrupting criminal trafficking networks with the arrest of six individuals over six days of enforcement operations.
This year marked eight years that the San Luis Obispo County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force has participated in the annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild led by the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. The statewide operation included more than 80 participating federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and task forces from across California focused on combatting human trafficking throughout the state. There were over 611 arrests statewide with 170 victims rescued, which included 14 juveniles.
This year’s operation was a joint collaborative effort among multiple Central Coast law enforcement agencies in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.San Luis Obispo County’s effort resulted in the following arrests and prosecutions:
ESTEBAN CEJA (DOB: 03/03/1995) (Booking Photo)
Esteban Ceja was arrested and charged with numerous felony crimes related to sexual trafficking of a victim using force and fear to accomplish the commercial sexual exploitation of the victim. This crime is defined in Penal Code section 236.1(b). Ceja is also charged with two felony counts of pimping and two felony counts of pandering as well as one count of providing false identifying information to law enforcement.
A review of the individual’s criminal history reveals that he was twice previously removed from the United States by the Department of Homeland Security in 2018 and 2020. This fact does not affect our case and as in all cases, a defendant is legally entitled to the presumption of innocence until they are proven guilty in a court of law by judge, jury, or their plea.
There is an ongoing investigation concerning Esteban Ceja and his trafficking activities that are believed to span from San Diego and the inland empire to northern California and many locations in between. Anyone with information about this individual is encouraged to contact San Luis Obispo Crime Stoppers.
Ceja is scheduled for a Pre-Preliminary Hearing in Superior Court, Department 1 on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The following five individuals were arrested for the crimes of communicating with a minor or arranging for a meeting with a minor for the purpose of committing a sexual offense with the child or teen.
Three of these cases occurred in San Luis Obispo County and two in Santa Barbara County. This law enforcement operation consisted of a joint collaborative effort among central coast law enforcement agencies.
The following suspects sought underage sex:• GAEL PITAABARCA (DOB: 03/24/2007) (Booking Photo)
• STEPHAN MUELLER (DOB: 12/01/1963) (Booking Photo)
• SINGH ASHVIR (DOB:10/03/2003) (Booking Photo)
• GONZALO LUNA-PENAFORT (DOB: 08/18/2003) (Booking Photo Booked in Santa Barbara County,)
• ARTURO DELEON (DOB:03/30/1986) (Booking Photo Booked in Santa Barbara County)
Three female sex trafficking victims were also rescued because of this operation. Two were adults and one was a juvenile under the age of 18.
"Prostitution demand fuels a lucrative market that traffickers exploit with victims—including children—even here," said District Attorney Dan Dow. "Our local anti-trafficking operations target this commercial sex demand to curb daily exploitation of minors and adults. Warning to sex buyers: reconsider, as your actions heighten risks for ~300,000 American children annually. You can and will be prosecuted if caught."
The San Luis Obispo County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force was formally established by District Attorney Dan Dow shortly after his election in 2014. This operation by the Task Force was directly aimed at disrupting networks of human trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation occurring on the central coast, identifying and assisting survivors of trafficking, and reducing the demand for trafficking and exploitation of minors by identifying and prosecuting would-be purchasers.
We are thankful for the efforts of each of our partner agencies in this year’s operation, including: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office – Special Operations Unit, Special Victim’s Unit, and Major Crimes Unit; DeliverFund; California Highway Patrol – Investigative Services Unit; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Santa Maria Field Office; Santa Maria Police Department; San Luis Obispo County Probation Department; Grover Beach Police Department; San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations along with their 3CFL unit; and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney – Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center.
“Our partnership with DeliverFund powered our central coast operation’s success—disrupting trafficking networks, rescuing victims, and arresting a trafficker and five men communicating with or attempting to meet with juveniles for sexual purposes,” said San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow. “Most importantly, with their help, we were able to rescue three trafficking victims. DeliverFund’s support made our community safer.”
It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that must be proven in a court of law by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Here is a copy of the charging documents.
Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.###
