Behind the Badge
In a case investigated by the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF), a 28-year-old felon was sentenced on Friday, June 9 to 17 years in prison for pimping and trafficking a woman and threatening to shoot her if she did not continue soliciting for commercial sex.
In February, an Orange County jury found Timogen Anthony Simpson, 28, of Kent, Wash. guilty of several charges, including two counts of pimping and pandering, felony human trafficking, criminal threats, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, and possession of a firearm by felon.
Timogen Simpson booking photo courtesy of OCDA
Simpson, who has a prior strike conviction for second-degree robbery, also must register as a sex offender for life.
Simpson tricked the victim into traveling with him and another woman from Washington to California.
Once they arrived, Simpson forced the victim to solicit commercial sex on the streets in areas known for prostitution in Orange County.
Simpson threatened to deprive the victim of food and sleep if she didn’t make enough money.
He also threatened the victim by saying he would shoot her and her family if she left.
On one occasion, the defendant choked the woman when she mentioned contacting the police.
In June 9, 2016, the victim escaped from Simpson and contacted law enforcement.
Members of the OCHTTF found Simpson and arrested him.
The OCHTTF is a collaboration among the Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana and Newport Beach police departments, the California Highway Patrol, the FBI and community groups and nonprofits.
The OCHTTF and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office work proactively to protect women and minors from being victims in the commercial sexual trade.
