A former Riverside County man, Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, was found guilty of sex trafficking after a five-day trial in Los Angeles. Shabazz was accused of forcing a victim to engage in commercial sex acts along the Figueroa Corridor in South LA.
Details of the Case
According to federal prosecutors, Shabazz convinced the victim they were in a romantic relationship and later turned physically violent. He allegedly confiscated the victim’s personal identification materials and forced her to work on the Figueroa Corridor, a 3.5-mile stretch of Figueroa Street known for human trafficking.
The victim testified against Shabazz in court, sharing with jurors the threats he made against her. Shabazz also introduced the victim to drugs to control her, prosecutors said.
Shabazz faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 6.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
