SAN FRANCISCO – Two men accused of kidnapping a woman as she walked in San Francisco’s Mission District in 2016 and threatening to force her to work as a prostitute if she didn’t pay a $1,500 ransom pleaded guilty Wednesday in court, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Earl Prince, 32, of Oakland pleaded guilty to human trafficking and witness intimidation, while Anthony Taylor, 24, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty to kidnapping. Prince faces 20 years in state prison and Taylor faces 8 years in state prison.
“Our humanity is not for sale,” District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. “Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and it will be met with consequences.”
According to prosecutors, in Oct. 2016, as the victim walked near Mission and 19th Streets after leaving a nearby bar, Prince got out of a car being driven by Taylor and began chasing the her.
After bumping her hip, he told her, “pimp rules, you’re mine,” and forced her into the vehicle. Although she tried to escape, she was unable to and, once in the car, two other females inside helped subdue her.
At one point, the victim was able to use her cellphone to contact a family member, but Prince then demanded $1,500 in exchange for her freedom, telling her he’d force her work as prostitute if the money wasn’t paid.
Upon arriving at an Oakland motel, the victim and one of the other women were given $100 and told to check into a room under the victim’s name. At the front desk, however, they were told they needed more money and the
victim sent the other female to go back to the car for more money.
Alone with the motel desk clerk, the victim asked them to call the police and report her kidnapping after the group went into the room.
Once Prince and one of the two females and the victim were in the room, police arrived and arrested Prince.
Taylor was arrested three days later, according to jail records.
“I want to commend the victims for their bravery coming forward, and for ensuring these individuals were held accountable for their actions,” Gascon said.
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