Hochman’s office wins conviction of pimp in trafficking of nine
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that a jury has convicted a well-known pimp of sex trafficking nine women and girls, two of them minors, across Los Angeles County between 2016 and 2020.
Lebaron Anthony Alexander Jr. was found guilty Oct. 6 of three counts of human trafficking of an adult, three counts of trafficking a minor for a commercial sex act, five counts of pimping, one count of pandering and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He faces up to 84 years in prison. Prosecutors said Alexander groomed his victims, some of whom he met on social media, and severely beat several of them, sending at least one to the hospital.
“These sex traffickers inflict devastation among those they prey on. They exploit their victims’ circumstances and treat human lives as a means for profit,” said Hochman. “Our office remains committed to pursuing those who perpetrate these crimes and holding them accountable. We recognize the tremendous courage it takes for survivors and witnesses to come forward, share their experiences and testify in court. Thank you to the prosecutors in our Sex Crimes Division and our law enforcement partners, who continue to work daily to eradicate sex trafficking from our community and fight for justice in court.”
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Human Trafficking Task Force.
In a separate case, Demont Andre Jennings, a sex trafficker, was sentenced Oct. 7 to 25 years to life plus five years for shooting at a car carrying an alleged rival trafficker and two women. Two of the occupants were struck and survived. Deputy District Attorney Walter Quinteros-Perello of the Sex Crimes Division prosecuted that case.
The convictions are part of a broader push by Hochman’s office against sex trafficking, including a string of pending cases involving minors allegedly exploited along the Figueroa Corridor in South Los Angeles. The office says it pairs tougher charges against traffickers and sex buyers with services for survivors.
Schiavo’s new law targets predatory lending to small businesses
Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, Northridge, Castaic) joined Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-San Benito County) in Santa Clarita this week to hear from small business owners, highlighting her new law aimed at protecting them from predatory lenders.
AB 2116, the Protect Small Business from Predatory Lending Act, expands state licensing and oversight to more business lenders, giving regulators more power to identify bad actors, and bans abusive practices. Schiavo developed the law with business leaders in Santa Clarita.
California has more than 4.3 million small businesses employing 7.6 million people, according to Schiavo’s office.
“Small business owners put everything they have into building their businesses, and they deserve a fair shot at success, not to be trapped by predatory financing. As a small business owner myself, I know how important access to capital is, but it should never come at the cost of someone’s livelihood,” said Schiavo.
At the roundtable, owners described obstacles they face and urged lawmakers to keep the conversation going, as Schiavo and Rivas discussed state efforts to make it easier to start a business and speed up permitting. Schiavo said the new law will protect owners from hidden fees and outrageous interest rates.
Valladares hosts free college financial aid workshop in Lancaster
State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita) will host a free workshop Saturday in Lancaster to help students and families apply for financial aid, including FAFSA, Cal Grants and scholarships.
High school seniors who attend or get one-on-one help will be entered in a drawing for one of 50 $1,000 scholarships from UNITE-LA, with winners announced in May 2027. Students who show a completed FAFSA or California Dream Act Application can also win a gift card. The prizes are not paid for with taxpayer money.
“Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but no student should have to figure it out alone. Completing your financial aid application is one of the most important steps you can take for your future,” said Valladares.
The workshop is open to high school seniors and current and incoming college students, with an English session from noon to 2 p.m. and a Spanish session from 2 to 4 p.m.
It will be held in the Antelope Valley Union High School District Office boardroom, 176 Holston Drive, Lancaster; use the west entrance. Representatives from Antelope Valley College, CSU Bakersfield Antelope Valley and San Joaquin Valley College will also attend.
Torres bill would train workers for advanced manufacturing jobs
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona, San Bernardino County) and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation to prepare workers for advanced manufacturing careers through partnerships between community colleges and manufacturers.
The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act would direct the U.S. Department of Labor to fund pilot projects linking community colleges, workforce boards, manufacturers and federally backed manufacturing assistance centers. Programs could include classroom and hands-on training, on-the-job training and apprenticeships, with priority for laid-off and unemployed workers.
“Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the Inland Empire’s economy, and we need to make sure our workforce is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Torres.
The bill is modeled on the InTech Center at Chaffey College in Fontana, which opened in 2016 with a $15 million federal grant as a partnership with California Steel Industries, now Nucor-CSI. It was California’s first public-private training partnership in advanced manufacturing and now works with more than 70 employers, training workers at no cost.
The pilot program would be open to community colleges nationwide, including in LA County.
