An Oxnard man faces a slew of charges in connection with sickening allegations of human trafficking and child exploitation. Victor Manuel Avalos, Jr., 20, was charged on January 23 with 10 felony counts, including multiple instances of unlawful acts with a child 10 years old or younger, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Details from court documents allege the disturbing enterprise, which included coercing minors into commercial sex acts and possessing and advertising child sexual assault material for sale. District Attorney Erik Nasarenko expressed the grave nature of the charges, emphasizing that each count also carries a special allegation that Avalos, Jr. exploited a position of trust, further betraying the young victims.
The investigation into Avalos, Jr.'s activities kicked off in December 2023, stemming from CyberTips about someone posting explicit videos of a teenage girl on Snapchat, alongside a menu of available child sexual assault materials for purchase. "The Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force is not only committed to locating and rescuing children from sexual assault, exploitation, and from human trafficking, but we are also committed to locating and arresting anyone who willingly sought out and purchased this material," Supervising Investigator Terry Dobrosky told the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Authorities hit Avalos, Jr. with several charges on January 19 after a search warrant was executed at his residence by the FBI Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force. It was there that the accused was contacted and later revealed to have allegedly acquired and sold the exploitative content. The Task Force believes that Avalos, Jr., who used the Snapchat handle “Rhythmic,” may have victimized additional children and urges anyone with information to reach out to law enforcement.
Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly, of the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Sexual Assault Unit, is leading the prosecution. Avalos, Jr., who remains behind bars without bail, is set to reappear in court on February 16. The Ventura County Superior Court will process his arraignment at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 for these alleged vile acts against children.
