| For Immediate Release Case # 14CF0615
June 3, 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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PIMP CONVICTED OF THREATENING WOMAN AND HAVING HER PERFORM COMMERCIAL SEX ACTS FOR HIS BENEFIT
SANTA ANA – A pimp was convicted and sentenced today for threatening a woman and having her perform commercial sex acts for his benefit. Rickey Lovelle Ward Jr., 30, Anaheim, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of conspiracy to commit pimping and criminal threats. He was sentenced to one year in jail, five years of formal probation, and six years and eight months in state prison stayed pending completion of probation.
Circumstances of the Case
Ward is a pimp who exploits women and/or children for financial gain. Pimps often establish rigid rules that their victims are expected to follow. The victims are required to turn over all payment they receive for sex acts from sex purchasers to their pimp. Failure to follow these rules may result in physical and/or emotional abuse.
Between Feb. 2, 2014, and Feb. 16, 2014, Ward pimped 23-year-old Jane Doe to sex purchasers and collected the money she received from performing commercial sex acts.
At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2014, Ward dropped Jane Doe off in Santa Ana in an area known for prostitution. Jane Doe agreed to perform a commercial sex act with undercover Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) and was taken into custody.
While Jane Doe was in custody, Ward sent text messages to Jane Doe threatening to shoot her mother if she continues ignoring his phone calls. He caused Jane Doe to reasonably be in fear for her safety and the safety of her immediate family with his threats. SAPD arrested Ward at a nearby location.
This case was investigated by SAPD and Deputy District Attorney Bradley Schoenleben of the HEAT Unit prosecuted 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.