3 arrested in East Bay human-trafficking case

James Joseph, Jr James Joseph, Jr Photo: Contra Costa District Attorney Photo: Contra Costa District Attorney Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 3 arrested in East Bay human-trafficking case 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

The ringleaders in a human-trafficking operation centered in San Ramon and Danville were arrested after a joint, 14-year investigation by local police and FBI officials, the San Ramon Police Department and Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

Suspects James Joseph, Jr., 50, and his common-law wife Avisa Lavassani, 34, both of Danville, reportedly led the sex-trafficking ring that included cities in California, as well as Cleveland, Miami, and New York, an operation that netted the couple tens of thousands of dollars a week, police said.

A third suspect, Anthony Reynolds, 42, of Oakley, was also arrested in connection with the operation.

“This investigation has shown us that human trafficking does not stay within jurisdictional lines and it doesn’t just happen in big cities or at ports and truck stops,” said San Ramon Police Chief Joe Gorton. “Human trafficking can occur anywhere and it can be hidden in plain sight.”

Officials said the investigation was “complex and highly involved,” and included months of wire tapping and field surveillance and included information obtained from former victims in the sex trafficking ring.

“We are committed to investigate and prosecute human traffickers in Contra Costa County,” said District Attorney Mark Peterson. “There is no room in our society for treating human beings as slaves and property that can be bought and sold.”

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker