Suspected Human Trafficker Arrested At Watsonville Motel

-Bay City News, image via Watsonville Police Department

WATSONVILLE - Deputies arrested a 34-year-old Fresno man Thursday in Watsonville on suspicion of 11 offenses including human trafficking, Santa Cruz County sheriff's officials said.

Marquis Bolden was arrested at 7:43 p.m. at the Economy Inn at 584 Auto Center Drive after deputies served a search warrant at the inn, which is near Cesar E. Chavez Middle School and Starlight Elementary School.

Before the arrest, the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team received reports of drug sales and prostitution at the motel, according to sheriff's officials.

During the search of Bolden's room, deputies allegedly found a 16-year-old girl, evidence of narcotics sales and more than three ounces of methamphetamine.

The girl told a Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team agent, who is an inspector with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office, that she had been taken and held against her will, that she was sexually assaulted and that Bolden was sexually exploiting her for money.

Allegedly, Bolden forcibly took the girl from Fresno County.

Deputies arrested Bolden on suspicion of human trafficking, kidnapping, pimping, rape by force, child abuse, lewd/lascivious acts against a child, procuring a person for the purpose of prostitution, false imprisonment and three drug offenses.

Bolden was booked into the county jail.

He remains in custody on $249,000 bail, according to the Santa Cruz County Corrections Bureau.

Anyone with information about Bolden or the investigation is being asked to call the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team at (831) 454-2320.