A 31-year-old San Leandro man who allegedly thought he was heading to a San Rafael hotel to meet a 15-year-old for sex instead wound up in handcuffs, according to investigators. Police identified the suspect as Conrado Castro Hernandez, who was arrested during a multi-agency human trafficking sting and booked into Marin County Jail on felony charges.
Undercover sting rescued two adult victims, police say
Last Thursday's operation, timed as the Bay Area hosts matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, brought together several law enforcement agencies that converged on a San Rafael hotel, authorities said. According to KRON4, investigators say Hernandez had been communicating with an undercover detective he believed was a 15-year-old, then agreed to meet in person at the hotel before officers moved in.
During the same sting, authorities say they also located and freed two adult women they identified as victims of human trafficking. Those rescues were part of a broader push to find people being exploited in the underground sex trade and connect them with services rather than handcuffs.
Local response and victim services
In the North Bay, Santa Rosa police have been running targeted anti-trafficking operations of their own and working closely with local nonprofits to get survivors immediate help. Public notices from the City of Santa Rosa highlight partnerships with community agencies and victim-service groups such as Verity, which operates a crisis line and offers advocacy and support for survivors in Sonoma County.
Those collaborations are designed to make sure that when police uncover potential trafficking cases, there is already a support network in place to handle everything from emergency shelter to legal advocacy.
Charges, booking and next steps
Hernandez was booked into the Marin County Jail on felony counts that police described as arranging to meet a minor and contacting a minor with the intent to solicit or have sex. He remains in custody while prosecutors decide what formal charges to file, authorities told KRON4.
Investigators say they plan to keep coordinating with partner agencies as the case moves forward and urged anyone with information related to this investigation or similar activity to reach out to local law enforcement.
How to get help or report tips
Authorities stress that help is available for people who are being exploited or who suspect someone else may be. To report concerns or seek support, you can contact local law enforcement, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or reach Verity’s crisis line for Sonoma County at (707) 545-7273. For immediate emergencies, officials say to call 911.
