A 26-year-old California man has been charged with human trafficking and child abuse after allegedly forcing a 14-year-old boy to work around the clock selling items online from a motel in Southern California.
According to prosecutors, Brandon Holguin met the minor at a thrift store and drove him to a motel room where he was forced to sort and photograph used clothing items for online resale between May 2 and May 5, 2025.
Holguin allegedly told the boy to take Adderall, which made the child sick, so he could work into the night. The minor's parents and law enforcement searched for him desperately during his three-day disappearance, fearing the worst had happened.
Holguin is charged with six felonies, including human trafficking, child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death, and furnishing a minor a controlled substance. He has been in custody since his arrest last year and is awaiting trial.
Anyone who may have been a victim or has more information about Holguin can contact Detective Salvador Ponce at the L.A. County Sheriff's Department at (818) 236-4015.