OAKLAND – Kevin Fuqua was sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking of children, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Homeland Security Investigations (NorCal) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable James Donato, U.S. District Judge.

In pleading guilty, Fuqua, 33, of Oakland, admitted that between August 8, 2018, and January 1, 2019, he caused a minor to engage in sex in exchange for money. 

“No girl’s teenage years should be spent on the streets of Oakland turning tricks to satisfy her pimp,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “Fuqua’s case demonstrates how important it is for us all to be on the lookout for child sex trafficking.  Sadly, this case demonstrates that there will always be those in our community who will take advantage of minors to profit from the commercial sex trade.”

“Human trafficking, especially of minors, is a reprehensible crime and the facts of this case are truly alarming,” said Special Agent in Charge King. “Homeland Security Investigations and our dedicated law enforcement partners, including the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, will never stop our determined pursuit of anyone who thinks they can abuse and force a child into prostitution here in America or in any corner of the world. Justice was brought to bear through the vigorous prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Northern District of California Office, which led to this important sentencing. Now the victim can begin the process of recovery.”

Fuqua admitted that he prostituted the minor victim by driving her to an area in Oakland known for prostitution and dropping her off.  Fuqua then monitored the minor’s location by requiring her to share cell phone location data with him. Fuqua admitted that he required the minor victim to earn $500 a night before allowing her to come in. Fuqua admitted that he knew that the victim was under 18 at the time. The government submitted documents in connection with Fuqua’s sentencing that described how Fuqua and his minor victim exchanged text messages describing his physical abuse of her.  For example, the messages describe how Fuqua justified hitting and choking her to demonstrate he had control of her.            

Fuqua was charged by Information on August 27, 2020, with one count of sex trafficking of children, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a)(1) and (b)(2).  Fuqua pleaded guilty to the charge. 

At the time of the offense, Fuqua was on supervised release for a 2014 conviction for illegally possessing a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Donato also ordered Fuqua to a 5-year term of supervised release. A hearing to determine the amount of restitution owed to the minor victim is set for February 17, 2020.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maya Karwande is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Ralph Banchstubbs.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the HSI and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.