SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Washington felon was convicted yesterday of trafficking a woman and pimping her by using a firearm to force her to solicit commercial sex. Timogen Anthony Simpson, 27, Kent, Washington, was found guilty by a jury of two felony counts each of pimping and pandering; one felony count each of human trafficking, criminal threats, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, possession of a firearm by felon, convicted felon having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and felon carrying a loaded firearm in public, one misdemeanor count of false imprisonment, and a sentencing enhancement for being armed with a firearm while committing criminal threats. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of over 40 years in state prison. The court will hear a bifurcated trial on Simpson's prior felony strike convictions for second degree robbery in 2009 in King County, Washington, and a prior prison conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon in 2012 from the United States District Court, Western Division, in Washingtonat his sentencing on June 9, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Circumstances of the Case

Simpson is a pimp who exploits women for financial gain. Pimps often establish rigid rules that their victims are expected to follow including setting daily quotas that the victims are expected to fulfill. Victims are often required to turn over all payment they receive for sex acts from sex purchasers to their pimp. Failure to follow these rules can result in deprivation of food, sleep, and/or physical and/or emotional abuse.

Prior to this case, Simpson met Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 in Washington. The defendant tricked Jane Doe 1 into traveling with him and Jane Doe 2 to California. Once arriving to California, Simpson forced the victims to solicit commercial sex on the street in areas known for prostitution and human trafficking in Orange County. Simpson threatened Jane Doe 1 by telling her she would not be able to eat or sleep until she made enough money for the defendant. On one occasion, the defendant choked Jane Doe 1 when she mentioned contacting the police. On another occasion while driving, Simpson pulled out a firearm and aimed it at Jane Doe 1 and threatened to shoot the victim and her family if she left him.

On June 9, 2016, Jane Doe 1 escaped from the defendant and contacted law enforcement. Members of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) located Simpson and arrested him.

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 OCHTTF, a partnership between Anaheim Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Costa Mesa Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Huntington Beach Police Department, Irvine Police Department, Newport Beach Police Department, OCDA, Orange County Sheriff's Department, Santa Ana Police Department, and community and non-profit partners.

Deputy District Attorney Bryan Clavecilla of the HEAT Unit is prosecuting this case.

Proposition 35 and HEAT

To read more about California's anti-human trafficking Proposition 35 and the OCDA's Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit, please visit www.orangecountyda.org and select Human Trafficking Information from the Media Center drop down menu.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 16NF1713 / March 1, 2017