A 25-year-old Oakland woman is facing felony charges in connection with the alleged trafficking of a 15-year-old who ran away from a group home, according to court records. She was arrested in late January, posted $10,000 bail, and was released on Jan. 28. A preliminary hearing in Alameda County court is set for March 9.
Allegations From Court Records
Court filings state that a social worker reported the teen missing in December and filed a human trafficking report with Oakland police after the girl left her group home. Prosecutors allege that adults pressured the teen into commercial sex, that she received about $100 during the period in question, and that the defendant shoplifted clothing and condoms from a Target store for the girl to use, according to The Mercury News.
Oakland Police Response
Oakland police say their VICE and Commercial Exploitation Unit has been running targeted enforcement operations this year, including a multi-agency effort in early February that resulted in several arrests, according to a Feb. 4 news release. The department noted ongoing coordination with federal partners and urged anyone with information about trafficking to call its human trafficking hotline at (510) 238-2373, as detailed by the Oakland Police Department.
Charges And Court Schedule
Court records identify the defendant as Kamaria Nelson and show she has been charged with pandering and robbing a minor. She entered a not guilty plea at her arraignment, according to the filings. The person described in the paperwork as the primary trafficker has not been charged at this time, and prosecutors have set Nelson's preliminary hearing for March 9, The Mercury News reported.
Support For Survivors
Advocates say young people who leave group homes and other congregate care facilities are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, and local groups work to connect them with support and services. In Oakland, organizations such as MISSSEY focus on outreach and trauma-informed care for youth who have been sexually exploited, as reported by The Oaklandside. For immediate help, the National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-888-373-7888 or via live chat at the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
The case remains open and under investigation, and Nelson's March 9 preliminary hearing is expected to be the next public step in the court process. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Oakland police or the hotlines listed above.
