NORTH COAST, Calif. – In a case that illustrates how human trafficking affects the North Coast, an Alabama resident on Wednesday was ordered to stand trial for four felonies in connection with allegations that he was pimping two teenage girls.
Jeremy Tyrone Mickens, 30, of Hoover, Ala., was held to answer to four felonies following a three-hour preliminary hearing, according to Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch.
Mickens is charged with two counts of pimping and two counts of child endangerment and is being held in custody on $250,000 bail, Ravitch said.
“We will aggressively prosecute those who engage in this practice, which amounts to modern day slavery,” said Ravitch.
She noted that this is a growing issue in Sonoma County and that this case was heard on the same date that the Board of Supervisors issued a resolution recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Ravitch said that due to the efforts of the Human Trafficking Task Force, there will be billboards placed on Highway 101, advising citizens of the importance of reporting suspected trafficking.
Elicited facts during the hearing revealed that Mickens works for a company that employs people to travel to various Walmart stores to restock shelves.
Mickens traveled from Alabama, across the country to Oregon and ultimately to Rohnert Park. During the day, Mickens would work at Walmart but during the evening, he would pimp two females – ages 17 and 18 – who were also traveling with him.
Rohnert Park public safety officers began their investigation when the 17 year old victim called 911 after being beaten by Mickens in a hotel room at the Good Nite Inn in Rohnert Park on Dec. 17, 2012.
Noting the youthful appearance of the minor victim and the severity of her facial injuries, officers questioned the second pimping victim and discovered the cross country abuse.
Using computer analysis, officers were able to follow the method in which Mickens would advertise the pimping from state to state.
Holding Mickens to answer, Judge Kenneth Gnoss set the case for filing of the information in Department 13.
This case is being prosecuted by Chief Deputy Bill Brockley and investigated by Rohnert Park Public Safety Officer Kelly Koffler and Det. Pat Fahy.
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