Accused of operating a brothel and sex trafficking of a minor, two Twentynine Palms residents were arrested last week. According to the Sheriff’s Department, in June, deputies discovered a teen girl who had been abandoned in the desert in Twentynine Palms, and realized she had been the victim of sex trafficking. During interviews with the girl, investigators identified several subjects involved in a sexual exploitation trafficking ring in the Morongo Basin. During the next four months, Sheriff’s deputies identified several victims, and rescued three adults from the human trafficking ring. In September, deputies obtained warrants for the arrests of Kevin Akins, 26, and Aubrei Wilson, 22. Law enforcement officials say that Akins and Wilson lured girls and young women from areas as far away as Ohio and Texas, promising them romantic relationships. Once the girls and women arrived in Twentynine Palms, they were forced to work as prostitutes. On September 29, investigators served search warrants on six locations in Twentynine Palms and Palm Desert, including homes, hotels, and a suspected brothel. Crystal Sipes, 41, was arrested in the 72900 block of El Paseo Drive in Twentynine Palms, on suspicion of two counts of pimping. Akins and Wilson managed to elude arrest at the time, but the Sheriff’s Department says the two turned themselves in at the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station on January 17. Kevin Akins and Aubrei Wilson were arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of pimping, pandering, and causing a minor to participate in prostitution. Akins and Wilson were arraigned January 19, with their bail set at $500,000 each. Crystal Sipes pleaded guilty November 20 to attempted pimping, and was sentenced to 105 days in county jail with credit for 53 days served, and three years’ probation. The Sheriff’s Department believes there may be more victims of the sex trafficking ring; anyone with information should call Deputy Vanessa Lopez at 909-890-4840.
