Sacramento, California – Last Friday, July 19, a Sacramento court marked a milestone in efforts to combat child sex trafficking in California. The implementation of Senate Bill 14, which went into effect on January 2, is already showing significant effects.
This new legislation makes it a felony to sell minors for sex, imposing severe prison sentences and classifying the offense as a “strike.” The first case under this new law unfolded in a Sacramento County courtroom.
Xavier Collins contacted his first victim, a 16-year-old girl, through Instagram in -January 2023.
Prosecutors revealed that Collins also manipulated a 15-year-old girl, initially presenting himself as a supportive mentor.
Collin’s facade as a mentor soon faded, revealing his true controlling and violent nature. He regularly threatened his victim to comply with his demands and physically assaulted her on several occasions. In addition, prosecutors informed that Collins was also trafficking his pregnant 18-year-old girlfriend, expanding his network of exploitation.
Upon knowing that one of his victims had contacted the authorities, Collins desperately tried to prevent her testimony. He contacted her repeatedly, ordering her not to cooperate with the investigation or attend court to testify against him.
Collins was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for child sex trafficking.
The implementation of this law and Collin’s sentence sends a clear message: California will not tolerate the sex trafficking of minors. Authorities hope this legislation will serve as a significant deterrent to future offenders and provide justice to victims.
