A 43-year-old Oakland man is facing felony charges after prosecutors say a paid encounter with a sex worker on International Boulevard turned into a violent robbery that sent the woman to the hospital. The confrontation reportedly unfolded along the 700 block of the busy corridor, a stretch long associated with street-level sex work and constant neighborhood complaints.
According to The Mercury News, recently unsealed charging documents identify the defendant as 43-year-old Alexander Stovall. He is charged with felony counts of robbery and assault with a firearm. Court records state that Stovall was booked last Monday, entered a not guilty plea last Tuesday, and is currently out on $150,000 bail while the case moves through Alameda County Superior Court.
International Boulevard context
International Boulevard, particularly around the 700 block, has been a persistent hotspot for street-level sex work and neighbor frustration. City officials have cycled through various strategies to curb open-air solicitation and boost safety in the area. As CBS San Francisco has reported, Oakland leaders have promoted tools such as ReportJohn.org, which allows residents to log suspected solicitation and help police track repeat offenders.
The corridor has also seen a pattern of robberies and assaults targeting sex workers, a trend that has alarmed both law enforcement and advocacy groups. They point to safety concerns and the very real fear that keeps many victims from calling police at all.
What prosecutors allege
Prosecutors say the incident started as a straightforward transaction and quickly went sideways. Stovall allegedly paid the woman $200, then took the money back and stole an additional $400, according to The Mercury News. During the confrontation, he is accused of striking her in the head with a pistol.
The woman was able to get out of the vehicle, according to the charging documents, and managed to photograph the suspect’s car before being transported to a hospital for treatment. Those details are drawn from the case file reviewed by reporters.
Criminal record and next steps
Charging papers list six prior felony convictions for Stovall, including a robbery conviction from 2001 and a 2023 conviction for illegal gun possession. Prosecutors say that history factored into how they structured the charges and the bail amount in this case.
Stovall has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to Alameda County Superior Court for additional hearings. Prosecutors are expected to continue reviewing physical evidence and witness statements as the case moves toward a preliminary hearing, where a judge will decide whether there is enough to send the charges to trial.
If convicted on the robbery and assault-with-a-firearm counts, Stovall could face significant prison time, including possible sentence enhancements tied to alleged weapon use. His prior felony convictions could also increase the potential sentence. The case highlights ongoing enforcement and safety challenges along International Boulevard, where advocates and police alike say victims in the sex trade are often reluctant to report violent crimes because of fear, stigma, or both.
Local prosecutors have not provided additional public comment beyond what appears in the charging documents. Advocates for sex worker safety, meanwhile, continue to call for more outreach, trauma-informed policing, and robust victim services to make it easier for people to report attacks and get medical care after violent encounters.
The investigation remains open, and prosecutors say they intend to pursue the case based on the existing charges and any additional evidence that surfaces at future court hearings.
