Ventura man using name ‘Rhythmic’ on Snapchat charged with human trafficking
A 20-year-old Ventura County man, who goes by the name “Rhythmic” on the social media platform Snapchat, has been charged with human trafficking and child exploitation, authorities announced Wednesday.
Authorities with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Unit began an investigation into Oxnard resident Victor Manuel Avalos Jr. in Dec. 2023 after receiving tips about a person posting videos of a teen girl on Snapchat.
One of the primary features of the popular instant messaging app Snapchat is that images and messages sent on the platform are only available for a certain amount of time before they become inaccessible to the recipients.
“Those same CyberTips also reported that the account had posted a ‘menu’ of available [child sexual assault material] for others to order and purchase,” a news release from the VCDA’s office stated.
On Jan. 19, special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, along with assistance from detectives with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant at Avalos’ residence in the Nyland Acres community in Oxnard.
Authorities say that Avalos allegedly obtained child sexual assault material from children online and sold the material for personal profit. The 20-year-old is also accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child.
“The Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force is not only committed to locating and rescuing children from sexual assault, exploitation, and from human trafficking, but we are also committed to locating and arresting anyone who willingly sought out and purchased this material,” District Attorney Supervising Investigator Terry Dobrosky said.
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Officials also believe there may be additional victims that Avalos had been in contact with using his Snapchat name “Rhythmic.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency.
Avalos, who remains in custody, faces 10 felony counts, including charges of unlawful acts with a child 10 years old or younger, forcible lewd acts upon a child, causing a minor to engage in commercial sex acts, advertising child sexual assault material for sale and possession of child pornography.
“Each count also carries a special allegation that Avalos Jr. took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense,” authorities said.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 16.
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