2 Long Beach Men Arrested On Human Trafficking, Pimping Charges
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Two Long Beach men have been charged with a total of nine felony counts related to the kidnapping and forced prostitution of two women, Long Beach police announced Friday.
Lebrette Win, 22, and 24-year-old Eric Avery were arrested on May 16 and have been collectively charged with human trafficking, pimping, pandering, mayhem, kidnapping, and other counts relating to sexually based offenses.
An investigation into the two suspects began on May 15 when Long Beach police were contacted by the Hawthorne Police Department regarding two women who had escaped after being kidnapped.
The women claimed they were forced into prostitution, with one victim being held captive for approximately four months, Long Beach police said.
"During the time they were held, they were forced to perform acts of prostitution throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and one of them was sexually assaulted by one of the suspects," officials said in a statement.
Winn and Avery were arrested during a traffic stop in the area of Pine Avenue and Bay Street in Long Beach one day after their alleged victims contact authorities.
Both suspects are scheduled to appear in Long Beach Superior Court on June 4 for a preliminary hearing.
Detectives believe that other victims may exist and are hoping they will come forward.
Anyone who is or has been a victim of human trafficking is urged to come forward by contacting the Long Beach Police Department's Vice Investigations Detail at (562) 570-7219.
