Luther ‘Pumpkin’ Ray Gets 40 Years for Sex Trafficking Teen

Luther Gene Ray, aka “Pumpkin,” was hit with a 40-year federal prison sentence Thursday for sex trafficking a 16-year-old girl by force in San Diego. The 33-year-old Hemet, CA man preyed on a runaway shortly after his release from federal prison, dragging her into a brutal cycle of prostitution and violence.

Ray was convicted following a December 2015 jury trial on one count of sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud, or coercion, and one count of increased penalties for registered sex offenders. He had previously been convicted of the same crime in Los Angeles in 2007, required to register as a sex offender, and served just eight years before returning to the streets in 2014.

The victim, a runaway, met Ray at a local retail store within 30 days of his release. He lured her with promises of money through prostitution, then kept every dollar she earned. Prosecutors proved Ray collected thousands from her and at least three other women forced into sex work under his control. He flaunted his criminal life on Facebook, bragging about women and cash.

Inside the courtroom, the victim testified that Ray beat her—and other women in front of her—if they even looked at another man who might challenge his control. His reign of terror ended only when the teen called police from juvenile hall, alerting authorities to his operation.

Because Ray was a registered sex offender at the time, Judge Roger T. Benitez was required to add 10 years to the sentence. Benitez called the 40-year term a message: exploiting girls through violence won’t be tolerated in this country. “This defendant terrorized and traumatized his 16-year-old victim, and now he will pay a very serious price for his crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alana Robinson.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum emphasized the long-term damage of such crimes. “The sentence imposed on this defendant is a genuine reflection of both the horrific victimization suffered by these young girls and the terrible impact that this type of criminal behavior has on the life and the well-being of our communities.” The FBI and San Diego Police Department led the investigation.