Final defendant in YSL case pleads guilty
Christian Eppinger, also known as Big Bhris, entered into a non-negotiated plea that will not add prison time to what he was serving. He was sentenced to 75 years, with 40 to serve concurrently with his previous 45-year sentence.
The charges stemmed from a number of crimes that occurred between 2016-22, including the attempted murder of APD Officer David Rodgers.
Prosecutors said Eppinger shot Rodgers six times in 2022.
Channel 2's Michael Seiden will have more on Channel 2 Action News at Noon.
RELATED STORIES:
Fulton County prosecutors ask to have Young Thug's probation revoked
Prosecution rests after nearly year-long case against YSL
YSL RICO jury returns to hear testimony after 2 remaining co-defendants refused plea offers
Young Thug released from Fulton County Jail after non-negotiated plea in YSL trial
Last public defender in YSL trial moves to withdraw as counsel, says she can't earn 'livable wage'
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CBS News
17 hours ago
- CBS News
South LA street gang members charged in Figueroa Corridor sex trafficking case, DOJ says
A grand jury indicted 11 members and associates of the Hoover Criminal Gang for sex trafficking children and adults along South Los Angeles' Figueroa Corridor, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition to sex trafficking crimes, the 31-count indictment charges the following 11 people with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act: The Justice Department described Armstead as the de facto leader of the 112 set, an offshoot of the Hoover Criminal Gang, and named her as the lead defendant in the RICO case. Federal and local law enforcement arrested all of the suspects except Isrel, as of Wednesday afternoon. If convicted, the defendants could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. "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," Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. Federal prosecutors claimed the gang had controlled the sex trafficking and prostitution ring along the Figueroa Corridor between February 2021 and August 2025. Investigators said the gang recruited new victims through social media or in person, primarily focusing on vulnerable women and girls with financial or emotional struggles, some of whom were runaways or foster youth. The Justice Department said the gang provided the women with drugs, gave them false promises of a luxurious lifestyle and, in some cases, beat them. "The exploitation of vulnerable women and children through sex trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes our society faces," said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. "The victims in this case – many of them minors, runaways, or from the foster care system – were preyed upon by individuals who sought to profit from their pain. The suspects forced sex workers to give up everything they had made, according to the indictment. The Justice Department said the women who refused or disobeyed were either beaten, berated, humiliated and starved of affection, drugs or food. Several of the women were branded with tattoos of some of the suspects' nicknames. "Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes perpetuated throughout the world," said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. "No human should be for sale – not here in Los Angeles or anywhere in our society. Today's operation is a result of our commitment to identify and rescue victims of trafficking and to hold accountable these criminal organizations exploiting them."


Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Los Angeles Times
Reputed Hoovers gang members charged by feds with sex trafficking in L.A.
Six reputed members and associates of the Hoover Criminal Gang were arrested Wednesday in what authorities called the first major takedown of a sex trafficking operation in the Figueroa Corridor of South Los Angeles. The Hoovers largely controlled sex trafficking and prostitution along a 3.5-mile stretch of Figueroa Street between approximately Slauson Avenue and Century Boulevard from February 2021 to August 2025, according to a 155-page federal indictment charging 11 people. Gang members and associates allegedly recruited vulnerable minors and young women — including runaways and children from the foster care system — through social media and branded them with tattoos, prosecutors charged. Victims were recruited through false promises of a luxurious lifestyle, intimidation, and actual or threatened violence and were plied with drugs ranging from the synthetic painkiller oxycodone to amphetamines, according to the indictment. Federal authorities allege Amaya Armstead, 25, a.k.a. 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Local and federal authorities arrested Amoako, Evans, Brooks, Phillips and Crockham Wednesday morning. Armstead was transferred from state custody to federal custody and is expected to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon. Authorities are still looking for Isrel. Three defendants are in state custody in California and Harris in Nebraska. Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in L.A., called the operation '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.' 'There are no meaningful consequences for their conduct under state law, so the federal government – aided by its local law enforcement partners – will step in to make sure these criminals face lengthy prison sentences,' Essayli said in a news release. Nicknamed 'The Blade,' the Figueroa Corridor is by far the most notorious sex trade hub or 'track' in the city. Police officials and advocates for trafficking victims say that the Hoovers gang has long held a stranglehold on the area. According to the indictment, the Hoovers formed in the late 1970s and later aligned themselves with the Gangster Crips. The Hoovers' territory largely encompassed the Figueroa Corridor. Gang members and associates allegedly acted as pimps 'by managing and monitoring their victims, pooling resources to rent several motel rooms for commercial sex dates … and sending each other money via Cash App and Apple Pay,' according to the U.S. Attorney's news release. Victims were allegedly forced to turn over proceeds from commercial sex dates to the pimp. If a victim refused or otherwise disobeyed a pimp, they allegedly faced discipline, including assaults, berating and public humiliation, withholding of affection, drugs, or food, draconian 'overtime' hours, or firing, according to the indictment. In exchange, according to the indictment, pimps were expected to provide protection, clothing, housing, food and beauty services. Prosecutors said sex workers were required to have their hair and nails done at all times 'because their grooming was a status symbol that reflected on her pimp.' Victims were also branded with tattoos of a defendant's moniker, according to the indictment. The gang members and associates allegedly focused on recruiting vulnerable minor girls and young women, 'particularly those with financial or emotional struggles or who had run away from home,' according to the news release from federal prosecutors. In one case in April 2022, Gray and two accomplices drove to an area of San Bernardino notorious for prostitution activities and allegedly attempted to force two women into their car. Both victims broke free, according to the news release. In April 2024, according to the indictment, Armstead and Evans allegedly rented rooms at the Stadium Inn, a South Los Angeles motel, including one in which a 14-year-old girl was sex trafficked for at least three consecutive days. According to the news release, some members of the Hoovers criminal enterprise produced rap music and videos, which often glorified the gang, sex trafficking, drug sales and firearms possession. Gang members also allegedly posted videos and photographs of their assaults on others to social media, 'in order to intimidate their victims and ensure their compliance in performing commercial sex work for the enrichment of their pimps and the Hoover gang itself.' If convicted, some defendants would face a minimum of 15 years and potentially up to life in federal prison. Times staff writer Libor Jany contributed to this report.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
FTX Investors Sue Law Firm, Alleging Role in Exchange's Fraud
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