On Sunday, Feb. 2, at about 11:40 pm, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a 911 call reporting a male and female in a physical altercation in the 700 block of North Mathilda Ave. Sunnyvale DPS responded and located an adult female who reported she had been physically assaulted by Michael Lewis, a 39-year-old Vallejo resident. Lewis fled the area before officers arrived. The victim also reported that she was a victim of human trafficking and forced to work as a sex worker for Lewis.
Sunnyvale DPS patrol officers obtained a warrant for Lewis and began searching for him. On Feb. 19, Sunnyvale DPS detectives located Lewis in the Sacramento area and placed him under arrest.
This investigation is ongoing and Sunnyvale DPS will work closely with the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies, to identify additional human trafficking victims associated with Lewis.
Lewis was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for 236.1(b) PC – Human Trafficking, 273.5 PC – Domestic Violence, 594(b)(1) PC – Vandalism, and 591.5 PC – Destruction of a cellphone when calling 911.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Sunnyvale DPS Detective Barron Renzi at (408) 730-7712 or brenzi@sunnyvale.ca.gov.