| For Immediate Release Case # 13NF2746 August 12, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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CONTRA COSTA MAN ARRAIGNED ON SEX TRAFFICKING AND PIMPING CHARGES AFTER TRAFFICKING NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMAN
HE MET ON ESCORT WEBSITE
FULLERTON – A Contra Costa County man was arraigned today on sex trafficking, pimping and pandering charges after he trafficked a northern California woman to Orange County. Laton Lateef Belle, 28, El Sobrante, is charged with one felony count each of human trafficking, pimping, and pandering. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison. Belle is in custody on $ $100,000 bail. He is scheduled for a pre-trial Aug. 20, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department N-12, North Justice Center, Fullerton.
Circumstances of the Case
Belle is accused of being a pimp/modern-day slave owner who exploits women and/or children for financial gain. Pimps often establish rigid rules that their victims are expected to follow including requiring victims to not speak to other African-American males and setting daily quotas that the victims are expected to fulfill. The victims are required to turn over all payments received from sex purchasers to their pimp. Failure to follow these rules can result in physical and/or emotional abuse.
Between Aug. 4 and Aug. 7, 2013, Belle is accused of finding 25-year-old Jane Doe through an Internet website which showcases ads for prostitution and escort services. He is accused of sending Jane Doe a text message suggesting she go with him from northern California to Orange County and promising to help her make a lot of money. Belle is accused of driving the victim to Anaheim while he explained the rules and how much to charge for various sex acts. He is accused of telling Jane Doe he would keep all her money in exchange for providing everything she needed. Over the course of three days, Belle is accused of instructing Jane Doe to perform lewd sex acts on sex purchasers and collecting all the payments she received. Belle is accused of instilling fear in the victim by telling Jane Doe that he associates with people who have killed people and intimidating the victim.
On Aug. 8, 2013, the victim was contacted by an undercover Anaheim police officer, who arrested the defendant that day.
This case was investigated by the Anaheim Police Department and Deputy District Attorney Daniel Varon of the HEAT Unit is prosecuting this case.
Proposition 35 and HEAT
In November 2012, California’s anti-human trafficking Proposition 35 (Prop 35) was enacted in California with 81 percent of the vote, and over 82 percent of the vote in Orange County, to increase the penalty for human trafficking, particularly in cases involving the trafficking of a minor by force.