News
Teen Prostitution Ring Broken Up in Stockton
Published: Jun 14, 2003 - 11:42 PM
A prostitution ring using teenage girls has been broken up, Stockton police said.
The alleged leader of the business was Garret Craven (shown above), who was arrested and booked on charges of pimping and pandering.
Craven allegedly advertised escorts on web sites and by leaving business cards on windshields around Stockton, making it clear that some of those escorts were under the age of 18, police said
The alleged leader of the business was Garret Craven (shown above), who was arrested and booked on charges of pimping and pandering.
Craven allegedly advertised escorts on web sites and by leaving business cards on windshields around Stockton, making it clear that some of those escorts were under the age of 18, police said
Stockton police say they've arrested a number of women involved in the ring over the last few months, but didn't connect Craven to the operation until a recent 911 call was received. The caller was a teenage girl who said Craven approached her on Wilson Way in Stockton and asked her to work for him. She declined, but said Craven brandished a gun and tried to force her into the car. She was able to escape and call police, but investigators believe other girls were not so lucky.
Police say Craven victimized the most vulnerable of teenagers. "He was preying on young girls that had dysfunctional lives, that wanted to be away from whatever problems they had," said Ken Praegitzer of the Stockton Police Department. "He was so bold that he had them sign contracts that they were working for him. He felt he had a sophisticated business."
In addition to Craven, police arrested a woman for pimping and pandering. They are looking for three additional suspects.
During the arrests, officers searched a house on Weber Avenue, where they found trophies congratulating employees for good service. The trophies were apparently meant for those working in the prositution ring.
Investigators say Craven had business connections to Las Vegas, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Jose, but believe the business was run from Stockton.
Police say Craven victimized the most vulnerable of teenagers. "He was preying on young girls that had dysfunctional lives, that wanted to be away from whatever problems they had," said Ken Praegitzer of the Stockton Police Department. "He was so bold that he had them sign contracts that they were working for him. He felt he had a sophisticated business."
In addition to Craven, police arrested a woman for pimping and pandering. They are looking for three additional suspects.
During the arrests, officers searched a house on Weber Avenue, where they found trophies congratulating employees for good service. The trophies were apparently meant for those working in the prositution ring.
Investigators say Craven had business connections to Las Vegas, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Jose, but believe the business was run from Stockton.
