C.A. 3rd;
C078620

The Third Appellate District affirmed a judgment. The court held that even though a human trafficking victim was shielded from prosecution under Proposition 35, the Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act, her hearsay statements in furtherance of the underlying conspiracy were admissible against the accused at trial.

Chester Brown was charged with two counts of human trafficking based on his alleged pimping out of 14-year old D. and 17-year old B. At trial, D., who helped Brown recruit B., was treated as a coconspirator for the purpose of introducing, as hearsay evidence, her texted conversations with Brown. Brown was convicted.