‘Classified’ Pimp Admits to Brutal Sex Trafficking

SANTA ANA, California – A depraved pimp has confessed to a federal sex trafficking charge, admitting he forced a young woman into prostitution after luring her through Facebook. Lawrence T. Gunn Jr., 33, formerly of Woodland Hills, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, a crime that carries a hefty price.

The details laid bare in court paint a horrifying picture. According to a plea agreement filed in United States District Court, Gunn, who goes by the moniker “Classified,” didn’t just exploit his victim – he branded her. He forced the woman to get a tattoo of his name on her face after initially contacting her on social media. This wasn’t a business transaction; it was control, pure and simple.

Gunn admitted to utilizing force, threats, fraud, and coercion between May 2015 and late February 2016 to compel the victim into commercial sex acts. He allegedly pocketed every single dollar she earned from customers, escalating to physical violence when she dared to resist. The plea agreement details at least one instance where Gunn broke the victim’s nose for attempting to keep earnings or escape his control. He also allegedly threatened to kill her if she tried to leave.

The sentencing hearing, scheduled for October 2 before United States District Judge David O. Carter, will determine Gunn’s fate. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years behind bars, with the potential for a life sentence in federal prison. And even after serving his time, Gunn will be required to register as a sex offender – a small measure of accountability for the damage he’s inflicted.

The investigation, led by the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force – a coalition including the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations – was a multi-agency effort. The Moreno Valley Police Department, the San Bernardino County Sherriff’s Office, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department all contributed to bringing Gunn to justice.

Assistant United States Attorney Abigail Evans of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting the case. This conviction serves as a grim reminder of the predators lurking online and the devastating consequences of human trafficking. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the fight against this horrific crime.