RivCo Authorities Rescue Two Teen Girls From Man Accused Of Sex Trafficking: HSI

RIVERSIDE, CA — Two teen girls were rescued by Riverside authorities and one man was arrested during a special operation to recover endangered and missing children, officials said.

According to Homeland Security Investigations, 30-year-old Shannon Devon Hilt of Los Angeles was arrested on March 5 by HSI's Riverside special agents during Operation Safe Return.

During the operation, the 14-year-old and 15-year-old girls was rescued from Hilt, HSI said.

According to the criminal complaint filed, between February and March, the two teenagers 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 and Riverside counties, and Las Vegas. Hilt was also accused of controlling the minor’ cellphones and assaulted one of the teens, HSI said.

During the operation, Hilt was arrested with a woman and two teen girls.

Hilt made his initial appearance on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles where a federal magistrate judge ordered him to be jailed without bond. Hilt did not enter a plea. His arraignment is scheduled for March 30., HSI said.

Operation Safe Return was a joint effort with Riverside County Sheriff’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, the California Highway Patrol, and the California Department of Justice, and other law enforcement agencies which resulted in the recovery of 37 children.

“The sex trafficking of minors is unfortunately a lucrative enterprise that is prevalent across Southern California,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. "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."

Assistant United States Attorney Kim Meyer is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Hilt would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison for each count, HSI said.

Anyone with information on human and sex trafficking was encouraged to call the HSI Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.