A 42-year-old Castroville man has been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, attempted murder and multiple other felony charges following an investigation that began with a reported assault outside a local shopping center, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Eric Adam Melendrez was taken into custody April 28 in Salinas after detectives located him driving a silver Honda CR-V, the sheriff’s office said. He was arrested without incident.
The case began on April 23, when witnesses reported seeing a man strangling a woman near the shopping center at 11290 Merritt St. in Castroville around 11:45pm. A sheriff’s sergeant responded and located the woman, while deputies also found a vehicle linked to the suspect nearby containing evidence, authorities said.
During the initial investigation, the woman told deputies she had been sexually trafficked by Melendrez, who had fled before law enforcement arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.
Detectives with the agency’s Violent Crimes Unit took over the case. Authorities said that when Melendrez was arrested five days later, he was found with suspected methamphetamine, as well as smaller quantities of heroin and fentanyl, along with cash and scales consistent with narcotics sales.
Search warrants served at multiple locations in Monterey County led to the seizure of additional narcotics, a firearm and items investigators believe are connected to sex trafficking, including condoms, lingerie and perfumes, the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives also said they obtained evidence that Melendrez threatened the victim with a knife and attempted to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement.
Based on the investigation, authorities sought a $1 million bail enhancement and obtained an emergency protective order for the victim.
Melendrez was booked into Monterey County Jail on charges including human trafficking, attempted murder, pimping, pandering, corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, possession of controlled substances for sale, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and dissuading a victim, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said they believe there may be additional victims who have not come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Janelli Arroyo at 831-755-7261 or Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at 831.755.3773.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Get a rope…