Trussville Police arrest 6 people in anti-human trafficking and child sex exploitation operation

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) - The Trussville Police Department say they arrested six people following an anti-human trafficking and child sex exploitation operation on July 31 and August 1.

Authorities say the Trussville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations and Special Operations Division worked together for the operation which took place within Trussville city limits.

Police say that during the operation, these six individuals targeted, and solicited, individuals they believed to be 15-years-old or younger. However, they were instead communicating with undercover law enforcement officers.

According to police, when the suspects traveled to meet the child, they were instead met by undercover investigators and taken into custody.

“These predators found our undercover investigators through the internet on platforms such as social media, and other various websites,” wrote Trussville Police Lieutenant Clint Riner. “These offenders agreed to pay to engage in sexual acts with children and then traveled to designated locations in the city limits of Trussville to commit these sex crimes.”

The suspects were identified as:

• Yelsintl Isrrael Cardoza-Rivera, 24, of Birmingham
• Lilisra James Creer, 34, of Birmingham
• Robert Ronald Lassitter, 63, of Summerdale
• Michael Oliver Trice, 47, of Vestavia Hills
• Thomas Ray Vigneulle, 35, of Pelham
• Randy Lamar Ware, 19, of Birmingham

Police say once arrested, the suspects were taken to the Trussville City Jail. From there, investigators presented the evidence and charges to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, where their bond was set. They were then all taken to Jefferson County Jail, where they could bond out.

Each man is charged with electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sexual act. All their bonds were set at $90,000 for both charges.

Ware, Creer and Vigneulle have since bonded out of the Jefferson County Jail.

Authorities say Rivera is subject to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer.

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