Overview
- The investigation began April 23 near a Castroville shopping center after bystanders reported a man strangling a woman and called for help.
- Detectives identified Eric Adam Melendez of Castroville as the suspect and later arrested him in Salinas while he drove a silver Honda CR-V.
- Deputies say they seized a large amount of methamphetamine along with heroin and fentanyl during the arrest.
- Search warrants at several locations turned up condoms, lingerie and perfumes that investigators link to sex trafficking, plus additional narcotics and a firearm.
- Authorities booked Melendez on alleged human trafficking and attempted murder among other felonies, found evidence he threatened the victim with a knife and tried to silence her, and secured a $1 million bail enhancement and an emergency protective order as they ask potential additional victims to contact detectives.