An East Palo Alto man, Dwayne Robinson, age 48, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for felony sex trafficking and pimping charges, the San Mateo County District Attorney announced. A jury previously convicted Robinson in November after evidence surfaced that he trafficked a 22-year-old woman against her will. This recent conviction is an addition to Robinson's record of seven prior commitments to state prison.
Prosecutors detailed how Robinson was apprehended during a police sting operation when he responded to a social media ad, which was, in reality, a setup by Redwood City police. He drove the young woman to a Redwood City motel on May 25, only to quickly discover that his expected client was actually law enforcement. The police's seizure of their cell phones revealed text message exchanges which further confirmed the woman's reluctance in participating, as she explicitly stated she "did not want to do this anymore," according to Mercury News.
During the trial, a notable scene unfolded when the victim, who did not testify, interrupted the defense's closing arguments to proclaim her love for Robinson and accuse them of lying about her "boyfriend." Immediately after her outburst, a bailiff escorted her out of the courtroom. Despite the drama, the defense's attempt to leverage the incident was cut short as the judge swiftly overruled their objection. The jury eventually returned guilty verdicts on charges of felony sex trafficking and pimping.
At the age of 49, Robinson now faces a long stint behind bars following his conviction and sentencing. His criminal history likely affected the length of his sentence, demonstrating the legal system's intolerance for repeat offenders. Robinson's sentence might punish and dissuade others from engaging in similar reprehensible activities. Details of the case, including Robinson's prior offenses, can be further explored through the San Mateo County District Attorney's X post.
Dwayne Robinson (49) sentenced to 14 yrs prison following his Nov conviction by a jury for human trafficking & pimping. In 2023, Robinson trafficked a 22 yr old female for 2 mos against her will, despite her repeated objections. Robinson has 7 prior commitments to state prison. pic.twitter.com/vNenMF9LsI
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) March 19, 2024
