A 20-year-old man has been charged with human trafficking and pimping after an investigation that began in early July with a traffic stop, authorities said.
The investigation began July 1, when officers in the North Division pulled the man over for a traffic violation and discovered he was on parole, authorities said Friday.
“Officers conducted a parole compliance check and found evidence that Harris was engaged in the pimping and pandering of a female adult,” police said in a press release.
Vice detectives later obtained a pair of search warrants, “which led to the discovery of additional evidence related to pimping and pandering,” authorities said.
When officers went to arrest Harris on Oct. 27, they rescued a 17-year-old unreported missing girl who was with Harris, police said.
On Oct. 29, the District Attorney’s office charged the man, Marcus Harris, 20, of Long Beach, with human trafficking of a minor, pimping an adult, as well as a gang violation. Harris is being held on $290,000 bail.
The girl was reunited with relatives and provided with victim-centered services, police said.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Long Beach Police Department’s Vice Investigation Detail at 562-570-7219. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may submit a tip through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.