Two men were arraigned in Orange County Thursday in separate cases of alleged human trafficking, including one who allegedly solicited an undercover officer he believed to be an underage girl.
Brandon Roosevelt Starks, 30, of Fresno, pleaded not guilty in a Fullerton courtroom to single counts of human trafficking, attempted pimping of a minor, pimping and pandering.
According to prosecutors, Starks allegedly contacted the undercover officer on Facebook between March and May, believing she was an underage girl. He allegedly tried to persuade the officer to perform commercial sex acts, and tried to get her to meet in Fresno, telling her that he would take her to areas of Orange County known for prostitution, prosecutors said.
Starks is also accused of pimping her girlfriend, and taking the money she received for performing sex acts.
Starks is due back in court June 1.
Meanwhile, Tyrell Anthony Lancaster, 32, of Hemet, pleaded not guilty in Westminster to charges of human trafficking, pimping and pandering. He allegedly met a woman in October 20143 and promised her money for performing sex acts, and drove with her to areas of Orange County, Texas and Arizona known for prostitution.
Prosecutors said he set daily quotas for the victim and threatened her with violence if she tried to leave or failed to meet his quotas.
Lancaster, who has prior convictions including drug possession and attempted fraud, faces up to 43 years in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He is also due back in court June 1.
Starks faces up to 13 years and four months in prison, prosecutors said.
— City News Service