Man convicted of pimping girl, 16, in Southern California
A 37-year-old man was convicted Thursday of luring a teenage girl from her home in Oakland and then pimping her out as a prostitute as they traveled through Southern California, authorities said.
A jury found Rufus McNeely guilty of trafficking a minor for sex, pandering and pimping, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors said McNeely pimped out the 16-year-old girl in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Ventura counties after luring her away from her home last September.
The girl eventually called the police and reported what was happening. McNeely was arrested in October.
At the time of his arrest, McNeely was also being investigated in connection with the pimping of a woman in El Monte in 2012. His involvement with the teen and new evidence helped prosecutors charge him in connection with the El Monte case, according to the district attorney’s office.
McNeely is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 17. He faces a maximum of 30 years to life in state prison.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and the Southland, follow @Caitlin__Owens, or email her at [email protected].
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