Berkeley man charged with human trafficking of a minor – East Bay Times

OAKLAND — A 35-year-old Berkeley man has been charged with trafficking and pimping a 16-year-old girl following a vice operation in Alameda County, court records show.

Joseph Lewis was charged Wednesday with human trafficking of a minor and pimping, both felonies. The charging documents cover a four-month period from January to May.

The alleged victim was detained as part of an anti-trafficking vice operation, according to the charging documents. She was interviewed by police and described Lewis as a boyfriend who protected her when she was scared. She said she split prostitution proceeds with him evenly and that he trafficked her around Oakland, court records show.

On her cellphone, authorities found conversations with Lewis where he encouraged her to prostitute for him and “provided her with instructions such as to stay away from people who are making it difficult for her to make money,” police said in court records, adding that she frequently referred to him as “daddy.”

Lewis was arrested Tuesday in French Camp, an unincorporated part of San Joaquin County, court records show.

Lewis is being held in Santa Rita Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail, court records show. He has pleaded not guilty and his next court date, a pretrial hearing, has been set for Aug. 8.