In a shocking revelation during a preliminary hearing at Solano County Superior Court in Vacaville, officer Steven Gunderson of the Vacaville Police Department’s vice unit, now a corporal, provided chilling insights into the sordid world of human trafficking. Gunderson, considered an expert in the field, renewed attention to the darker side of romance as a recruitment tactic used by traffickers.
The hearing focused on the case of Raymond Michael Weber, a 31-year-old resident of Sacramento, accused of the heinous and fatal shootings of two females earlier this year in Vacaville. The victims were identified as 27-year-old Savannah Theberge, who had connections to Utah and Georgia, and a 15-year-old girl from Elk Grove. As Gunderson took the stand, it became clear that the defendant was allegedly involved in a seedy world of exploitation and coercion.
Gunderson, responding to Deputy District Attorney Eric Charm’s questioning, described human trafficking as a form of modern-day “slavery.” The officer shed light on the disturbing reality of “boyfriend pimps,” a term used to describe individuals who establish romantic relationships with victims before exploiting them in the sex trade. Gunderson testified that older sex workers were known to collaborate with younger ones, further demonstrating the insidious nature of human trafficking rings.
The tragic events unfolded on January 30 in an apartment on Rocky Hill Road, where Weber reportedly carried out the fatal shootings. Gunderson shared details that indicated a clear pattern of control and manipulation. The slain teenager’s mother had tried to prevent her daughter’s abduction by a man fitting Weber’s description, described as a light-skinned African-American male with dreadlocks. The girl’s cellphone was traced to an Oxford Suites hotel in Rohnert Park, where Theberge had previously checked in. Surveillance footage linked Weber to the hotel, reinforcing the connection between the accused and the victims.
The court also learned about the harrowing ordeals endured by the young girl in the days leading up to the shootings. Disturbing video evidence revealed Weber engaging in lascivious acts and physically assaulting the girl. Gunderson testified that online advertisements for commercial sex indicated a cost of $420 per hour, further attesting to the exploitative nature of the supposed boyfriend pimp’s operation.
The hearing included testimony from Makayla McCalebb, Weber’s cousin, who informed her mother about his alleged rape of the young girl just hours before the fatal incident. The court further delved into the events of that fateful night, with Vacaville Police Sergeant Erik Watts commenting on Weber’s erratic behavior and the presence of a firearm. A 911 call, reporting a man live-streaming from an apartment where two motionless women were lying on the floor, prompted swift police action.
Ultimately, Weber barricaded himself in the apartment and a standoff ensued. The SWAT and Critical Incident Negotiation teams were called in, but attempts to resolve the situation peacefully failed. Weber was eventually found hiding and was apprehended after a brief struggle. Notably, prior convictions revealed Weber’s history of violent offenses, including assault with a firearm in 2006 and unlawful possession of a controlled substance while armed in 2016.
The evidence presented in the courthouse paints a grim picture of the workings of human trafficking and the tragic consequences that unfolded in Vacaville that fateful night. As the proceedings continue, authorities hope to achieve justice for the victims and shed light on the deep-rooted issue of sex trafficking haunting our communities.
