| For Immediate Release Case # 14CF1712
May 23, 2014 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486
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PAROLEE SEX OFFENDER ON GPS MONITORING ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES OF PIMPING AND PANDERING 18-YEAR-OLD WOMAN
SANTA ANA – A parolee sex offender on GPS monitoring was arraigned today on charges of pimping and pandering an 18-year-old woman. Eddie Bridges, 36, Compton, was charged today with one felony count each of pimping and pandering by procuring and sentencing enhancements for serving separate prison terms and not remaining free for five years: two prior convictions in 1996 and 1998 in King County, WA, for possession with intent to sell a controlled substance, one prior conviction for possession of marijuana in Maricopa County, Ariz., one prior conviction in Los Angeles County in 2007 for pandering of a minor, and one prior conviction in Los Angeles County in 2011 for attempted pandering. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison. He is being held on $100,000 bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. Bridges was arraigned today and is scheduled for pre-trial on June 3, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Circumstances of the Case
Bridges is accused of being a pimp who exploits women and/or children for financial gain. Pimps often establish rigid rules that their victims are expected to follow such as addressing the pimp as “Sir” or “Daddy.”
At the time of the crime, Bridges was a parolee and a registered sex offender.
Between May 17, 2014, and May 21, 2014, Bridges is accused of driving Jane Doe to Santa Ana to an area known for prostitution with the intent of having the victim engage in commercial sex. The defendant is accused of pimping Jane Doe by unlawfully deriving support from the victim through the earnings and proceeds of prostitution and pandering Jane Doe by unlawfully procuring her for the purpose of prostitution.
At approximately 3:50 a.m. on May 21, 2014, a Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officer observed the victim actively soliciting sex purchasers in the area. SAPD contacted Jane Doe and began investigating this case. During the investigation, SAPD located the defendant in a nearby car. The defendant is accused of being identified as Jane Doe’s pimp and was arrested at the scene.
This case was investigated by SAPD and Deputy District Attorney Brad Schoenleben 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.