Ceres is a city of approximately 50,000 residents in Stanislaus County, California. It is part of the Modesto metropolitan statistical area, in Central California. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city and surrounding communities, and throughout the county. This activity and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking.

Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has therefore been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. For example, in January, 2023, a statewide prostitution and sex trafficking initiative, called Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, was conducted that was designed to  disrupt the practice of human trafficking.  The operation led to 58 arrests in  over a three-day period, and focused on disrupting the demand for vulnerable victims by targeting their customers, as well as on assisting victims and apprehending traffickers.  The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office partnered with law enforcement agencies, including the Ceres Police Department, and with social services and advocacy groups. The offenders were arrested for an array of felony and misdemeanor charges including, prostitution, pimping, violation of sex offender registration, attempting to contact a minor with the intent to commit a felony, and human trafficking. Other agencies participating in the operation included the California Highway Patrol, Stanislaus County District Attorney, California Parole, California Department of Justice, and Homeland Security Investigations.