FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect Jolaun Canton

IN-CUSTODY

While investigating a missing person case, Detectives from the East Palo Alto Police Department (EPAPD) contacted the San José Police Department Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) regarding a possible human trafficking incident in San José.

The female juvenile survivor was reported missing out of East Palo Alto on February 25, 2024 and was found on March 25, 2024 by EPAPD Detectives and SJPD Patrol Officers in a trunk of a vehicle at a residence in the city of San José. The female juvenile survivor was held against her will, threatened and forced to engage in commercial sex acts in exchange for money by an adult male suspect. 

With the assistance of the East Palo Alto Police Department, SJPD HTTF Detectives identified Jolaun Canton as the suspect responsible for child sex trafficking.

On April 20, 2024, SJPD Patrol Officers conducted an unrelated vehicle enforcement stop on suspect Canton. The suspect fled on foot during the enforcement stop and after a foot pursuit, Officers were able to apprehend and arrest suspect Canton. A privately-made firearm, commonly referred to as a ghost gun, was also recovered from the scene. Suspect Canton was booked into Santa Clara County Jail for evading Officers and for felon in possession of a firearm. 

SJPD HTTF Detectives were immediately notified and with the assistance of the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, charges were amended to include child sex trafficking.

The San José Police Department would like to thank the East Palo Alto Police Department for their assistance in safely locating the female survivor.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Reyes #4530 of the San José Police Department Special Victims Unit Human Trafficking Task Force at (408) 537-1999 or email stopslavery@sanjoseca.gov.

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