Ten individuals have been arrested in Los Angeles as part of a major operation targeting a large-scale sex trafficking ring operating along the Figueroa Corridor. The alleged gang, affiliated with the South Los Angeles-based Hoovers, is accused of exploiting approximately 51 underage girls and women, including runaways and foster children.
Prosecutors revealed that suspects acted as pimps, using a combination of false promises and violence to recruit minors and women into sex work. This illicit activity reportedly spanned from February 2021 to June 2026, with the suspects allegedly generating significant profits from their activities. The investigation highlights the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in combating human trafficking in the region.
Cameron Lockett, 23, is accused of a particularly brutal assault in November 2024, during which he allegedly beat and partially disfigured a victim. Authorities claim Lockett then sent the victim for medical treatment and pressured her to mislead police about her injuries. Another suspect, Caleed Mouton, 26, is alleged to have arranged an abortion for an underage trafficking victim in July 2025, reportedly instructing her to engage in sex work on the same day.
The investigation has also implicated Mukeshkumar Ahir, 45, manager of Stadium Inn & Spas. Ahir faces charges related to allegedly pocketing over $64,000 (£50,000) from the alleged sex trafficking operation by reserving rooms for the illegal activities. This case raises concerns about the potential role that legitimate businesses can play in facilitating such criminal enterprises.
US Attorney Bill Essayli expressed hope that these arrests would "break the cycle of crime and abuse" in one of L.A.’s most notorious human trafficking corridors. Los Angeles police chief Jim McDonnell reinforced this sentiment, stating that authorities are working to dismantle the criminal enterprises that profit from human trafficking, rescue victims, and reclaim the Figueroa Corridor for its rightful owners.
The operation follows similar efforts, including charges against 11 other individuals affiliated with the Hoover gang last year. Their trial is scheduled for next March. However, tackling human trafficking in Los Angeles remains a complex issue, exacerbated by factors such as budget cuts to the LAPD in 2021 and the repeal of a bill that previously allowed police to arrest individuals loitering for sex work.
The challenge of balancing law enforcement efforts with concerns about discriminatory practices underscores the need for a nuanced approach to combating human trafficking. If convicted, the arrested individuals could face sentences ranging from 15 years to life in prison.