WESTMINSTER, Calif. – A felon from Fresno was arraigned today for pimping a young woman and possessing a loaded firearm with the serial number removed. Adam Rocky Trinidad, 24, is charged with one felony count of pimping, one felony count of pandering by procuring, one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon (prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance for sale in 2012 in Fresno), one felony count of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, and one felony count of possession of a firearm with identification numbers removed. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of four years and four months in state prison. Trinidad is being held on on $100,000 bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Sept. 7, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-1, West Justice Center, Westminster.

Circumstances of the Case

Trinidad is accused of being a pimp who exploits women for financial gain. The victims are typically required to turn over all payment they receive for sex acts from sex purchasers to their pimp.

Between Aug. 23, 2016, and Aug. 25, 2016, Trinidad is accused of driving 18-year-old Jane Doe from Fresno to areas known for human trafficking and prostitution in Orange County. The defendant is accused of posting sexually explicit advertisements of the victim soliciting commercial sex and keeping part of the money she received from sex purchasers.

On Aug. 25, 2016, Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) officers arranged to meet with Jane Doe at a motel on Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa. Trinidad is accused of exiting the room Jane Doe was occupying and waiting at a nearby bus stop during the victim's meeting with CMPD. Trinidad is accused of sending text messages to Jane Doe containing language consistent with him pimping the victim. The defendant is accused of booking the victim's motel room in his name and returning to the room when he thought the sex purchaser was gone. Trinidad is accused of having $300 cash in his possession and storing a bag in the motel room which contained a loaded firearm with the serial number scratched off.

Trinidad was arrested near the motel by CMPD, who investigated this case.

Members of the OCHTTF and the Orange County District Attorney's (OCDA) Office work proactively to protect women and minors from falling victim to commercial sexual exploitation. This case was investigated by CMPD and OCHTTF, a partnership between Anaheim Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Huntington Beach Police Department, Irvine Police Department, OCDA, Orange County Sheriff's Department, Santa Ana Police Department, and community and non-profit partners.

Deputy District Attorney Juliet Oliver of the HEAT Unit is prosecuting this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 16WF1947 / August 29, 2016