Lakeport man pleads guilty to human trafficking for prostitution
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man arrested earlier this year for trafficking young local women as prostitutes in the Bay Area has reached a plea agreement with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
On Friday, Sam Lindsey Massette, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of human trafficking for the purposes of prostitution and two counts of pimping women in prostitution, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.
Under an agreement with Anderson, Massette will receive sentences of 20 years for human trafficking of a victim identified as Jane Doe 2.
He also will receive concurrent sentences of 20 for human trafficking of Jane Doe 1, six years for pimping of Jane Doe 3 and six years for pimping of Jane Doe 4, for a total maximum aggregate term of 52 years, Anderson said.
Anderson said that charges against Massette for human trafficking of Jane Doe 5 were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
The agreement comes days ahead of Massette’s preliminary hearing in the case, which Anderson had previously reported was set for Oct. 17.
On Oct. 2, Massette’s wife, Krystina Pickersgill, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of human trafficking, as Lake County News has reported.
Under an agreement with Anderson, Pickersgill will be placed on probation with a maximum prison sentence of 12 years if she does not complete probation.
Her agreement was entered into based on her mental health issues and lack of any criminal history. Anderson explained that Massette had taken her off her medication and then started an effective pattern of manipulation and brainwashing.
In the beginning Pickersgill was a victim of human trafficking and is now starting her recovery and getting her life back, Anderson said.
The investigation into this matter started after the performance “Jane Doe in Wonderland” about human trafficking. After the performance victim Jane Doe 1 approached Anderson, who was a speaker at the play, and explained she was a victim of human trafficking.
The investigation led to the service of 26 search warrants for locations including Massette’s house at 2569 Lagoon Drive, Lakeport, were the defendants were arrested, Anderson said.
The investigation revealed Massette ran a high class human trafficking ring, using Lake County girls, and working primarily out of San Francisco, according to Anderson.
Anderson said Massette and Pickersgill recruited girls at an early age while they are still in high school.
It’s also alleged that in 2006 Massette trafficked two minors ages 16 and 17 for prostitution. Anderson said some of the victims were coerced and threatened to perform acts of prostitution. Pickersgill was not part of the human trafficking of the minors in 2006.
In addition to their respective sentences, Massette and Pickersgill have waived all their interest in property seized by the District Attorney’s Office pursuant to the Profits Organized Crime Act, Anderson said.
Seized by the District Attorney’s Office was $14,530 in cash and four vehicles valued at more than $300,000. Anderson said the seized assets will be turned over to the county of Lake’s general fund.
Anderson extended his appreciation to the five women who came forward and put a stop to this human trafficking ring.
“These women showed extreme bravery by coming forward and helping our office,” he said. “They have undoubtedly saved many young women from a life of being trafficked into prostitution.”
He added, “I also want to extend sincere gratitude to the human trafficking investigators of the District Attorney’s Office who have worked countless hours fighting the once growing epidemic of human trafficking in Lake County.”
Anderson said the District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting two other separate cases involving human trafficking.
“We will continue to make every effort to free these victims from those who force them into prostitution against their will and help give them a new start in life,” he said.