But it’s also the most notorious sex trafficking hub in town—ruled since February 2021 by the Hoover Criminal Gang, who control prostitution and human slavery along a 3.5-mile stretch of Figueroa Street.
“Today’s operation is the first step in returning the Figueroa Corridor—long known as prostitution haven—back to its residents.”
Victims are often children from the foster care system, especially vulnerable girls and young women—often runaways with financial or emotional issues. Enticed through social media, they are lured with drugs and promises of a glamorous lifestyle, then branded with tattoos and tightly controlled by gang members once trapped.
After being sent on commercial sex dates, they are forced to turn over proceeds. Disobedience means beatings and food deprivation. Victims also face public humiliation and intimidation through social media, where videos and snapshots of assaults are uploaded to demonstrate the consequences of noncompliance to their masters.
Gang members have even brazenly promoted their crimes, producing rap music and videos glorifying sex trafficking, drug use and firearms possession.
But their once-iron grip on the community is beginning to slip.
On August 13, federal and local law enforcement arrested six members and associates of the South Los Angeles–based gang on charges including sex trafficking of children and adults through force, fraud or coercion; transportation of a minor for sex trafficking; sexual exploitation of a child; drug trafficking conspiracy; money laundering to promote specified unlawful activity and conspiracy to straw purchase firearms.
Authorities called it the first major takedown ever of a sex trafficking ring in the Figueroa Corridor.
Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli underscored the stakes when he said: “The federal government—aided by its local law enforcement partners—will step in to make sure these criminals face lengthy prison sentences. Today’s operation is the first step in returning the Figueroa Corridor—long known as prostitution haven—back to its residents who have suffered for too long while criminals were allowed to run amok.”
That first step can’t come quickly enough. California had the highest number of human trafficking cases in America last year, accounting for over 14 percent of the nation’s toll.
As Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang said, “No human should be for sale—not here in Los Angeles or anywhere in our society.”
