HOLLYWOOD—Two suspects involved in human trafficking a 13 year-old individual were convicted on Monday, May 9. The Los Angeles Police Department Operations South Bureau Human Trafficking Task Force in relation with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office completed the felony conviction of a 2-month investigation.

Roderick Houston. Photo courtesy of the LAPD.
Roderick Houston.
Photo courtesy of the LAPD.

According to the LAPD blog, Roderick Houston, 33, of Norman, Oklahoma and Amber Burroughs, 22, of Los Angeles were both convicted of Human Trafficking of a Minor. The victim was a female minor from Compton, California. Authorities got involved when the victim reported the traffickers to the LAPD Operations South Bureau Human Trafficking Task force.

The investigation revealed that the suspects enticed and persuaded the minor to work as a prostitute on the Western Avenue corridor in South Los Angeles and in the Hollywood region, while they were in LA. Both Houston and Burroughs took the victim to hotels and areas where prostitutes are known to loiter. They used social media websites to advertise, sell and sexually exploit the 13-year-old minor.

Amber Burroughs. Photo courtesy of the LAPD.
Amber Burroughs.
Photo courtesy of the LAPD.

On one distinct occasion, Burroughs was depicted in a photograph with the minor that was posted on international escort website advertising herself and the victim as escorts offering a “Late Night Two Girl Special.” Houston and Burroughs pled guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court to Human Trafficking of a Minor and received 6 year sentences for their crimes.

Anyone with information in regards to this suspect is asked to call Operations South Bureau Human Trafficking Task Force at (213) 926-3963. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”