
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has stepped up the fight against human trafficking by announcing felony charges against three individuals accused of participating in commercial sexual exploitation, aligning with Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Hochman made his stance clear, "Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar business and should be viewed as nothing short of modern-day slavery," according to an announcement from the District Attorney's Office.
Among the accused, Derran Adkins, a Paramount resident, faces severe charges including human trafficking of a minor and an adult with added allegations of inflicting great bodily injury. He is up against a potential third strike, which could lead to a life sentence due, to his previous felony convictions, as per the District Attorney's Office. The court has already ordered Adkins to be held without bail due to the threat he could pose to public safety, he has pleaded not guilty, with his preliminary hearing scheduled for late February.
Fabian Gilbert of Los Angeles has been charged with pandering and felony possession of a firearm by a felon. His case is particularly notable for the special allegation that he committed a new felony while out on bail. Gilbert, who has also pleaded not guilty, could face a sentence of more than eight years if convicted. His next court appearance is slated for early February, as detailed by the District Attorney's Office.
Kevin Thomas, also from Los Angeles, has been hit with a felony count of pandering. Given his prior conviction for a serious or violent felony, his bail was set at $100,000. Thomas's pretrial conference is expected soon, where he faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted. Much of the alleged illegal conduct took place along the Figueroa Corridor, which has become a focal area for such crimes.
The charges brought forward are part of a larger initiative by the DA's office to clamp down on the egregious human trafficking problem in Los Angeles County. DA Hochman acknowledges the efforts of the Los Angeles Police Department South Bureau Human Trafficking Task Force and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department's Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force in their relentless pursuit of justice. "The District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with law enforcement agencies, remains committed to investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases in accordance with the law." DA Hochman said, reinforcing the vow to bring offenders to account while providing necessary support for survivors.
In addition to the recent charges, the announcement also detailed recent convictions in sex trafficking cases, illustrating the grave nature and the determined prosecutorial response to such crimes within the county. These cases include sentences ranging from probation to life in prison for crimes such as human sex trafficking of minors, kidnapping, and sexual assault.