SAN DIEGO, CA – A member of a North Park-based gang, who was previously convicted of participating in a conspiracy to engage in racketeering enterprise (RICO) involving sex trafficking of minors and adults, pleaded guilty to once again being involved in sex trafficking.
Jonathan Devon Price, aka Lil’ TY, who was a member of Black MOB, previously pled guilty to RICO in October 2015, where he admitted he was involved transporting females from San Diego, California to El Paso, Texas for purposes of prostitution. He also admitted to transporting an adult female in San Diego, California to a hotel to engage in prostitution after an online ad had been posted.
Today, Price admitted that in November 2019, he transported a minor in San Diego, California to meet with “johns” for the purpose of her to engage in commercial sex acts. In addition, Price caused online advertisements to be posted offering the minor for commercial sex. An undercover sting operation conducted by members of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force resulted in the arrest of Price, who was transporting the minor for prostitution.
Price also admitted during his guilty plea that he used fraud, force and coercion against another adult female in order to cause her to engage in commercial sex acts. This conducted occurred between June 2018 and November 2019, while Price was on federal supervised release. As a result of his criminal conduct in November 2019, Price has violated his supervised release in his prior RICO case, Criminal Case No. 13CR4510-JAH.
“Sex trafficking is a crime that causes devastating long-term effects for victims, especially minors,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “Our office will continue to vigorously enforce federal laws that are in place to protect women and girls from the pain, humiliation and suffering associated with sex trafficking.” Brewer praised prosecutor Joseph Orabona and members of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force for their excellent work on this case.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. before the U.S. District Judge John A. Houston. Price has been detained in custody since his arrest in November 2019.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph J.M. Orabona. This guilty plea is the result of the collaborative work by the FBI and the San Diego Police Department.