Human Trafficking of a 13-Year-Old Girl Ends In Conviction NR16159ti

Los Angeles: On May 9, 2016, the
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Operations South Bureau Human
Trafficking Task Force, in partnership with the Los Angeles County
District Attorney’s Office, concluded by way of felony conviction
of a 2 month investigation into a claim of human trafficking of a
minor.

The defendants in this matter, Roderick Houston, 33 years of age,
of Norman, Oklahoma, and Amber Burroughs, 22 years of age from Los
Angeles, California were both convicted of Human Trafficking of a
Minor. The victim in this case was a 13-year-old female from
Compton, California.

The investigation began when the 13-year-old victim reported the
traffickers to the LAPD Operations South Bureau Human Trafficking
Task force.

The investigation revealed that the suspects enticed and persuaded
the minor to work as a prostitute along the Western Avenue corridor
in South Los Angeles and in the Hollywood area, while they were in
Los Angeles. The suspects took the victim to hotels and areas where
prostitutes are known to loiter and used social media websites to
advertise, sell and sexually exploit the 13-year-old minor.

On one specific occasion, Burroughs was depicted in photographs
with the minor that was posted on an international escort websites
advertising herself and the 13-year-old victim as escorts offering
a “Late Night Two Girl Special”.

Houston and Burroughs pled guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court to
Human Trafficking of a Minor and received 6 year sentences for
their crime.

Anyone with information in regards to this suspect 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.”