September 28, 2016
Case # 16WF1496
PIMP FROM STOCKTON SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR PIMPING WOMAN WHILE ARMED WITH FIREARM
WESTMINSTER, Calif. – A pimp from Stockton was sentenced yesterday to three years in state prison for pimping a woman while armed with a firearm. Raymello Edward Brown, 22, pleaded guilty to one felony count of pimping with a sentencing enhancement for being armed with a firearm.
Circumstances of the Case
Brown is a pimp who exploits women for financial gain. The victims are often required to turn over all payment they receive for sex acts from sex purchasers to their pimp.
Prior to July 5, 2016, the defendant traveled with Jane Doe from Stockton to Costa Mesa to have the victim engage in commercial sex for his benefit in areas known for prostitution and human trafficking in Orange County. The defendant posted sexually explicit advertisements of Jane Doe on websites known for soliciting commercial sex. Brown kept the money Jane Doe received from sex purchasers for himself.
On July 5, 2016, undercover Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) officers arranged to meet with Jane Doe at a hotel on Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa. During OCHTTF’s investigation, the defendant occupied a neighboring hotel room and attempted to call the victim. When OCHTTF officers contacted Brown, he was in possession of over $3,000 in cash, a loaded firearm, and ammunition. Brown was arrested at the hotel by OCHTTF.
Members of the OCHTTF and the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Office work proactively to protect women and minors from falling victim to commercial sexual exploitation. This case was investigated by OCHTTF, a partnership between Anaheim Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Costa Mesa Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Huntington Beach Police Department, Irvine Police Department, OCDA, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Ana Police Department, and community and non-profit partners.
Deputy District Attorney Daniel Varon of the HEAT Unit prosecuted this case.
Proposition 35 and HEAT
To read more about California’s anti-human trafficking Proposition 35 (Prop 35) and the OCDA’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit, please visit www.orangecountyda.org and select Human Trafficking Information from the Media Center drop down menu.