Human Trafficking Suspects Convicted NR16091dm

Los Angeles: Task force
completes lengthy investigation resulting in felony
convictions.

On March 7, 2016, the Los Angeles Police Department’s
Operations-South Bureau Human Trafficking Task Force and 77th
Division’s Vice Unit, in partnership with the Los Angeles County
District Attorney’s Office, completed a 15 month investigation into
the human trafficking of two victims. One of the victims was a
juvenile.

The investigation revealed that from August 2014 to September 2015,
Maurice English, a documented gang member, forced the two victims
to work for him as prostitutes along the Figueroa Street and
Western Avenue corridors in South Los Angeles. English demanded
that each victim earn $1,000.00 per day for him. During one
incident, English prevented the juvenile victim from exiting his
vehicle by physically assaulted her. She reported the incident to
her grandmother and the Los Angeles Police Department. The second
victim came forward and described the abuse she suffered as
well.

Maurice English, a 27-year-old resident of Los Angeles, pled guilty
to Human Trafficking and Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He was
sentenced to 15 years in prison for his crimes.

Shelia Smith, an associate of English and a 25-year-old resident of
Los Angeles, pled guilty to Witness Intimidation. She was sentenced
to 4 years Formal Probation.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Operations
South Bureau Human Trafficking Task Force at (213) 926-3963. During
non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to
1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain
anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
(800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting
to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell
phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”
Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous
Web Tips.”