Targeting Victims Through Deception (Image Credits: Nypost.com)
Los Angeles — Derran Adkins faced severe consequences in court after admitting to forcing two vulnerable young women into commercial sex work along the city’s infamous Figueroa Corridor.[1][2]
Targeting Victims Through Deception
Prosecutors detailed how Adkins, 28, from Paramount, first connected with a 17-year-old girl via social media in November 2024. He quickly coerced her into prostitution, keeping all earnings for himself. Authorities noted that she endured his control until early 2025.[1]
A second victim, aged 19 at the time, worked under Adkins from April 2024 through January 2025. Like the teenager, she surrendered every dollar from her encounters to him. The Figueroa Corridor served as the primary site for these operations, a stretch long associated with exploitation.[3]
Escalating Violence to Maintain Control
Adkins resorted to extreme physical abuse whenever victims resisted or tried to flee. The 17-year-old suffered a particularly gruesome injury when he mutilated her hand during one escape attempt. Such brutality ensured compliance and silenced any defiance.[2]
The 19-year-old faced repeated beatings, including punches to the face, burns from a heated metal spoon, and whippings with a clothes hanger. Adkins admitted in court to causing great bodily injury to both women during these offenses. Los Angeles Police Department investigators from the South Bureau Human Trafficking Task Force uncovered the pattern after his arrest in January 2025.[1]
- Mutilation of the minor’s hand for attempting escape.
- Punching and burning the adult victim for questioning authority.
- Whipping with a hanger to enforce obedience.
- Seizure of all prostitution proceeds.
Guilty Plea and Harsh Penalty
On February 11, Adkins pleaded guilty to one count of human trafficking a minor and one count of human trafficking an adult for commercial sex acts—both classified as violent felonies. Superior Court Judge Francis Bennett imposed the sentence of 28 years and eight months in state prison just two days later. Adkins will register as a sex offender for life upon release, with a restitution hearing set for June.[1]
Deputy District Attorney Emily Chai of the Sex Crimes Division’s Human Sex Trafficking Section prosecuted the case, case number 25CJCF00109. The swift resolution highlighted coordinated efforts between the DA’s office and law enforcement.
DA’s Vow to Dismantle Trafficking Networks
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman hailed the outcome as a victory against exploitation. “A violent sex trafficker and modern-day enslaver has been taken off the streets as a result of the tireless work of our prosecutors and the Los Angeles Police Department,” he stated in a press release.[1]
Hochman emphasized broader action: “Sex trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar business of exploitation that must be destroyed on both the supply and demand side.” His office targets not only pimps but also buyers, known as “johns,” to curb demand. He warned potential offenders: “Your prosecution is next.”[2]
Key Takeaways
- Adkins preyed on a minor via social media, using violence to profit from her exploitation.
- The sentence includes lifetime sex offender registration and restitution proceedings.
- LA authorities intensify efforts against traffickers and clients fueling the industry.
This case underscores a hardening line against human traffickers in Los Angeles, where operations like those on Figueroa persist despite crackdowns. Communities now watch as prosecutors pursue similar predators. What measures should cities take next to protect at-risk youth? Share your thoughts in the comments.
