Oakland, California — A 32-year-old Oakland man has been sentenced to a decade in state prison after pleading no contest to human trafficking of a minor and illegal firearm possession while out on pretrial release, according to court documents.
In April, Algernon Steen accepted a plea deal resolving both charges. He will serve his sentence at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin but may be released after five years due to credits for good behavior under California law.
Key details of the case:
- In 2022, authorities charged Steen with exploiting a 14-year-old girl who had fled her home near Fresno.
- According to investigators, the girl reported that Steen forced her into sex trafficking across several cities, including San Francisco, Vallejo, and Los Angeles.
- She had been staying with Steen and several other women since that April.
- Although a judge initially released Steen with a GPS ankle monitor while his case was pending, he was later taken into custody in Berkeley on a firearms charge.
- Witnesses told police they saw him physically assaulting an adult sex worker during the incident.
Two individuals linked to the case were also charged as accessories. One co-defendant pleaded guilty and received probation, with a restriction to avoid certain areas in the Bay Area known for high rates of prostitution. Prosecutors ultimately dropped the case against the other co-defendant.
Steen has to register as a sex offender. He was given credit for about three years of service.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking in California, assistance is available.
At Women’s Rights Group, our experienced human trafficking lawyer offers free and confidential consultations to help you understand your rights and options.
Your safety and rights are our priority—reach out today for the support you need.
