A horrifying case of sex trafficking in Los Angeles has resulted in a vile pimp, Derran Adkins, being sentenced to 28 years and eight months behind bars. Adkins, described as a ‘modern-day enslaver,’ was found guilty of trafficking two teenagers, aged 17 and 19, along the notorious Figueroa Corridor.
The 17-year-old victim was lured by Adkins through social media and forced into commercial sex trafficking in November 2024. If she attempted to escape or did not follow his orders, she faced brutal assaults. On one occasion, Adkins even mutilated her hand in a horrific act of violence.
The 19-year-old victim worked as a sex worker between April 2024 and January 2025. Adkins would physically assault her if she did not comply with his demands or tried to leave. The assaults ranged from being punched in the face to being burned with a heated metal spoon or whipped with a hanger.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman expressed his satisfaction with Adkins’ sentencing, stating, “A violent sex trafficker and modern-day enslaver has been taken off the streets as a result of the tireless work of our prosecutors and the Los Angeles Police Department.” He emphasized the depravity of sex traffickers who prey on vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
Adkins pleaded guilty to felony counts of human trafficking of an adult and a minor for a commercial sex act. He admitted to inflicting great bodily harm on both victims during the commission of these heinous crimes. Hochman warned all those involved in the sex trafficking industry in LA that their prosecution was imminent.
The DA stressed the importance of targeting both the supply and demand sides of sex trafficking, including prosecuting not only traffickers and pimps but also the sex buyers who drive demand. Adkins will be required to register as a sex offender for life even after his release from prison.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the need to combat sex trafficking and bring justice to those who exploit and harm vulnerable individuals. Hochman’s office remains committed to eradicating sex trafficking in Los Angeles County and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
