LOS ANGELES, April 1 (UPI) — A suspected pimp and prostitute in California were arrested for allegedly forcing a 14-year-old runaway to walk the streets seeking men to pay her for sex.
Chuncey Tarae Garcia, 33, and Cierra Melissa Robinson, 27, both face a slew of charges — and Garcia faces the prospect of life in prison — under tough new laws approved by California voters last year against human trafficking of minors.
The Los Angeles Times said Garcia, an alleged pimp, and Robinson, allegedly his top prostitute, met the girl in another state and brought her to Southern California, where Garcia allegedly raped her and then forced her to work the streets. Police said Garcia gave the girl a $200 quota per day and threatened to withhold meals if she failed to reach it.
Police arrested the couple after a traffic stop because Garcia was driving with a headlight out.
Garcia has been charged with felony counts of human trafficking of a minor by force or fear, pimping a minor and forcible rape, the Orange County district attorney’s office said.
Robinson is charged with felony counts of human trafficking of a minor and pandering of a minor under 16 by procuring. She was also charged with one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
If convicted, Garcia faces 28 years to life. Robinson faces a maximum 12 year sentence.
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).
