CALIFORNIA – A California man has been charged in a federal indictment with sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl by force, fraud, or coercion, prosecutors announced.
According to court documents, Kenyin McGee, 27, of Oakland, met and recruited the minor online in late 2020, then bought her a bus ticket in early 2021 to travel there.
After she arrived, McGee took her shopping, brought her to a motel, and posted her photos on a commercial sex website.
Afterward, McGee had sex with the victim, telling her he wanted to test “the product,” even though he acknowledged she was a minor.
McGee then drove the victim to International Boulevard in Oakland, known for commercial sex activity, and told her to have sex with men for money. When she complied, he took her earnings and kept all proceeds from the commercial sex acts.
McGee also sent the victim threatening text messages, including threats to “shoot” or “kill” her.
Facing up to life in prison
McGee later took the victim to San Francisco, where he again trafficked her.
The victim ultimately escaped after a San Francisco police officer encountered her on the street and connected her with local human trafficking services.
The FBI and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are investigating the case.
If convicted, McGee faces a maximum of life in prison, with mandatory minimums of 15 years for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and 10 years for sex trafficking of a minor.
The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Human Trafficking Hotline
Anyone with information about human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, available 24/7.
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