Missing teen found with suspected pimp in Oakland
Nov 21, 2024
(KRON) -- A juvenile who was reported missing in Sacramento County was rescued from a sex trafficker in Oakland, investigators said.
The alleged pimp, 29-year-old Deondre Smith-King, was arrested in an area known as "The Blade," where 24-hour sex trafficking occurs, prosecutors said. Officers recently found the victim with Smith-King at The Blade and took the suspect into custody.
The victim was exploited by Smith-King between August 17 and November 12 in Oakland, investigators said.
Smith-King is now charged with one count of human trafficking of a minor and two counts of pimping a minor, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office said Thursday.
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Alameda County is the nation’s "3rd largest hub for the sexual slave trade," the district attorney's office wrote. An estimated 80% of sex workers are juveniles, and many grew up in foster homes, according to the DA's office.
Smith-King is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $355,000 bail. He appeared in court on Thursday. If convicted, he will face up to 12 years in state prison.