Defendant Sentenced for Human Trafficking, Pimping, Pandering

DATE:  October 15, 2021

CASE: David Towner (Case #20FE004466)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin, Human Trafficking Unit

The Honorable Laurel White sentenced David Towner to 28 years in prison.  On August 5, 2021, a jury convicted Towner of human trafficking, human trafficking of a minor, two counts of pimping, two counts of pandering, and two counts of witness intimidation.

On January 15, 2020, detectives from the Sacramento Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit contacted a 16-year-old girl who they believed may be a victim of sex trafficking.  When reviewing the victim’s cell phone with her consent, a detective found communication from Towner trying to recruit her into prostitution. Further investigation revealed evidence of Towner’s prolific efforts to recruit women to work in prostitution for him. Several other victims reported that Towner had sexually exploited them. One of the victims reported that Towner picked her up from Reno under the pretense of giving her a ride, but began trafficking her when they arrived in Sacramento. Towner used a variety of tactics to coerce her including threatening her, isolating her, closely monitoring her, and giving her heroin to impair her.

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