Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman continues to firmly press against the scourge of human trafficking in the county. The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, in concert with numerous federal and local law enforcement agencies, has aggressively pursued cases of sex trafficking across the region. This year, LADA has filed over 10 cases against 18 individuals for commercial sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, pimping, and pandering, illustrating the persistent effort to eradicate this form of modern-day slavery. The announcement of a recent federal indictment, which sees six members and associates of a South Los Angeles gang facing 31 counts, including sex trafficking of children and adults, underscores the gravity and scope of the problem.
District Attorney Hochman praised the combined work of various agencies in securing the indictments, stating, “I strongly applaud the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles Police Department for their critical work dismantling this heinous sex trafficking operation in South Los Angeles and bringing these predators to justice,” in a statement released by the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office. Emphasized was the targeted area, the Figueroa Corridor, known for its historical struggle with sex trafficking. This year’s collaborative operations aim to swiftly and decisively stamp out the exploitation of the community’s most defenseless.
Cases pursued by LADA include a range of disturbing allegations, from human trafficking of minors for sex acts by force or fraud to unlawful possession of firearms by felons. Highlighted among the prosecuted is Derran Adkins, whose alleged crimes could potentially land him a sentence of 70 years to life in prison. This sizeable crackdown also involves the successful conviction of William Dixon, sentenced to five years after coercing a minor from Ohio to Los Angeles for trafficking. Deputy District Attorneys like Emily Chai have been pivotal in building and prosecuting these multifaceted and traumatic cases…