A sting operation successfully executed by the Street Crime Unit of Clarkstown Police Department targeted individuals involved in unlawful activities such as prostitution and human trafficking. The location of the operation, a dwelling at 16 Smith Road in Nanuet, had been flagged due to several community reports hinting at illegal activity.
Officers from the Street Crime Unit began their investigation, which was stemmed from local concerns, by penetrating digital platforms believed to be commonly utilized for arranging these types of criminal activities. Through a cycle of vigilant surveillance and covert operations, they managed to identify individuals who were involved in and promoting this illegal circuit of activities.
Their meticulous probe and clandestine operations led to the arrest of two adult suspects. These culprits were detained and are facing multiple criminal counts, ranging from serious felonies to misdemeanors, all connected to the illicit world of human trafficking and child endangerment.
A disturbing revelation was the presence of several minors inside the dwelling during the operation. These children were immediately whisked away by authorities for medical examination and care, to assess their health and emotional condition in a local hospital.
Another organization, Child Protective Services, was alerted about the situation and is now playing a significant role in the unfolding investigation. Their involvement is to ensure the welfare of the affected children and to assist in the investigation relating to crimes against children.
The investigation led to the capturing of Negri Sanz Del Orbe, a 42-year-old woman resident in Nanuet, New York. She is currently facing a litany of criminal charges including Sex Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution, Unlawful Imprisonment, Criminal Contempt, Dealing Unlawfully with a Minor, Child Endangerment, Permitting Prostitution, and Criminal Nuisance.
Following her arrest, she has been taken into custody and placed in Rockland County Jail with bail set at different levels: $100,000 in cash, a $200,000 bond, or a $300,000 partially secured bond. She is scheduled to make her court appearance at Clarkstown Justice Court on June 11, 2025, at 1:30 PM.
The other suspect caught during the operation is Luis Mendez-Valdez, 31 years old male, also a resident of Nanuet, NY. Just like his accomplice, he too is looking at a slew of serious charges which includes Sex Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution, Unlawful Imprisonment, Second Degree Criminal Contempt, Unlawful Dealing with a Child in the First Degree, Child Endangerment, Permitting Prostitution, and Second Degree Criminal Nuisance.
Mendez-Valdez was also remanded to Rockland County Jail in the wake of his arrest, facing the same bail conditions as Del Orbe: an option of paying $100,000 cash, a $200,000 bond, or a $300,000 partially secured bond. If he meets these specifications, he’ll be free till his next appearance in Clarkstown Justice Court, set for June 11, 2025, at 1:30 PM.
This case is just a single example of the ongoing struggle against human trafficking and child endangerment, a struggle that is often hidden from the public eye. It encapsulates the complex and painstakingly slow process of identifying, investigating, and putting an end to such illegal activities within our communities.
The joint efforts of various law enforcement agencies and community vigilance play a crucial role in detecting and dismantdling these criminal networks. From the local police department to Child Protective Services, every organization involved contributes significantly to this critical and often under-acknowledged work.
The confidential nature of these operations, along with the severity of charges brought against the accused, serve as a stark reminder of the need for rigorous legal processes and stringent enforcement of the law in these damaging and dangerous situations.
Innocent lives are at risk, especially those of the vulnerable children who are involuntarily wrapped into these unlawful activities. The first and foremost goal of these sting operations is to provide immediate safety and care for these victims, and subsequently, to ensure that they are no longer subjected to such hazardous and life-altering circumstances.
This operation conducted by the Clarkstown Police Department serves not only as a measure against crime but also as a public reminder of the existential and ongoing threat that human trafficking and child endangerment pose to our society.
Ultimately, these types of operations aim to hold perpetuators accountable, provide justice to victims, and act as a deterrent for those who may consider getting involved in such crimes in the future. Each arrest, every recovered victim is a small victory in the broader battle against these shadowy illicit activities.
While stories like these often fall out of the public eye, it is essential to remember the tireless work of the frontline officers, investigators, and organizations like Child Protective Services, who step in when things go awry, to protect and care for the most vulnerable members of our community.