An Oakland man has been slapped with a 24-year prison sentence for the human trafficking of a 16-year-old girl, District Attorney Pamela Price's office reported. Lawrence Johnson, 47, also known by the street moniker 'Scarface', was convicted on January 5 after evidence proved his involvement in the sex trafficking of a minor in 2021. Johnson, who has a sordid history with a prior "strike" conviction for similar crimes in 2006, has signaled his intent to appeal the verdict.
During the trial, a young girl known as Jane Doe detailed how Johnson approached her on 25th Avenue and International Boulevard in East Oakland, complimenting her appearance before luring her into his car with promises, the District Attorney's office conveyed. Johnson's prior record includes a conviction for sex trafficking and threatening another young victim, a 13-year-old girl. Prosecutors had to dismiss three additional felony counts involving a different 16-year-old due to her absence from the trial, according to the Alameda County District Attorney.
This case puts Johnson away after what seems to be a pattern of preying on young girls. The Alameda County District Attorney emphasized the significance of the conviction. "We hope this conviction sends a message to traffickers, both local, regional, and international exploiters of human beings, that we will vigorously prosecute you to protect the lives of our most vulnerable residents," DA Pamela Price said. She underscored the harm human trafficking inflicts on communities, hinting at her office's resolve to combat these atrocities with full force.
According to Mercury News, the sting operation that led to Johnson's most recent arrest occurred on August 29, 2021. It was initiated when an undercover investigation into prostitution detained the young girl, which then exposed Johnson's criminal activity. The dismissed charges relating to the second victim came about after a Contra Costa District Attorney's employee informed police that a colleague was romantically linked with another girl Johnson had trafficked during the ongoing trial.
Now faced with a lengthy imprisonment, Johnson remains defiant in his intention to challenge the jury's decision.
