Three men have been charged with pandering involving alleged sexual exploitation along the Figueroa Corridor, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Wednesday.
Derran Adkins, 27, of Paramount, is charged with one felony count each of human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act by force, fear, fraud or threat of injury and human trafficking of an adult, along with allegations that he personally inflicted great bodily injury during the commission of the crimes, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The alleged crimes involving Adkins — who is facing sentencing under the state’s three strikes law if he is convicted — occurred between last Nov. 4 and this Jan. 3, prosecutors said.
Fabian Gilbert, 20, of Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count each of pandering and possession of a firearm by a felon involving alleged crimes last Dec. 27, along with an allegation that he committed a new felony offense while out on bail, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Kevin Thomas, 25, of Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count of pandering, along with an allegation that he has a prior conviction for a serious or violent felony, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
“Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar business and should be viewed as nothing short of modern-day slavery,” Hochman said in announcing the charges during Human Trafficking Prevention Month. “Los Angeles County has the tragic distinction of being one of the nation’s capitals of human trafficking. This is completely unacceptable and must be stopped.”