Photo: Mychal D. Nelson
RICHMOND — A special law enforcement unit dubbed Bravo is targeting human trafficking crimes. So far this month, two men were arrested on suspicion of pimping and one woman was convicted for pimping.
Richmond PD is targeting the city’s notorious 23rd Street commercial corridor. This thoroughfare running between San Pablo Avenue and Interstate 580 is plagued by prostitution and violent crimes.
Richmond’s Bravo Unit officers are working on bikes and on foot. Their investigatory work is being coordinated with law enforcement agencies in Contra Costa County and elsewhere.
Mychal D. Nelson, 34, was arrested in Hayward on July 13th. His arrest follows a lengthy investigation involving law enforcement agencies as far away as Los Angeles.
Nelson is accused of distributing sexually explicit photos and videos, as part of his recruitment process for prostitutes. His alleged victims include a 16-year-old girl contacted through social media.
Nelson is being held at the Martinez Detention Facility. His charges include human trafficking, pandering, and contact with a minor for sex, among other offenses. As a parolee, Nelson is ineligible for bail.
Another suspected pimp, Marcus Butler, 31, is accused of sex trafficking a minor on 23rd Street. Butler faces charges for human trafficking, pandering and pimping. He is being housed at the West County Detention Facility, and presently not bondable either.
On July 18th, Nicole M. Hernandez, was convicted for pimping two women and sentenced to three years in state prison. Her victims were intercepted on 23rd Street by Richmond PD’s Bravo Unit last March.
