Three distinct juries found three individuals guilty of sex trafficking a minor on Thursday.
Joshua Murphy, 27, Tremaine Jones, 32, and Heather Hunt, 32, were taken into custody andaccused of trafficking a 15-year-old girlI was in January 2021. The girl, referred to as Jazmin Doe in court, was reported missing and considered at-risk from her residence in Nevada.
The two-month experiment was San Luis Obispo County’s first multiple-jury trial,where multiple juries examined information simultaneously in the same courtroom.
The only other trial involving multiple juries in San Luis Obispo County history was the case against Paul and Ruben Flores concerning themurder of Kristin Smart, but the trial took place in Monterey County Superior Court.
Murphy, Jones, and Hunt were each found guilty of trafficking a minor for sexual activities and exploiting a person under 21 for prostitution.
Murphy was also convicted for possessing and distributing child pornography, as well as engaging in sexual activities with a 15-year-old.
The jury concluded that Murphy did not employ force or intimidation, which helped him escape a possible life in prison.
For criminal defense lawyers, preventing a client from receiving a life sentence is seen as a major success,” said Addison Steele, Murphy’s attorney, in an email to The Tribune. “Mr. Murphy and I appreciate the jury’s efforts during this lengthy and complicated trial. While we would have preferred him to be cleared of all charges that weren’t admitted, we are very satisfied that he is no longer at risk of spending his life in prison.
Hunt’s jury, nevertheless, determined that she trafficked Jazmin through force or fear, which could result in a sentence ranging from 15 years to life.
Exploiting a young minor for commercial sex trafficking is a shocking crime that deeply harms its victims, causing lifelong trauma, which is why we are committed to fighting it here in San Luis Obispo County,” said San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow in a press statement. “We recognize the young survivor who showed remarkable bravery and resilience throughout the extended process, including giving testimony in court and enduring thorough questioning from three defense attorneys.
San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Kimberly Dittrich stated in her opening remarks that the three defendants “colluded to entice, dominate, and gain financially from a child they selected due to her appearance and youth.”
However, Steele claimed that Jazmin was the one managing the sex work enterprise. Both Hunt and Jones’ legal representatives stated that their clients were not involved in Murphy and Jazmin’s operations. All three individuals believed Jazmin was 21 years old.
Jazmin’s high school identification card was discovered during a search of Murphy’s car, according to Dittrich.
Law enforcement officials uncovered the activity when they conducted a sting operation aimed at apprehending individuals involved in online sex trafficking.
A detective pretended to be a prospective client and intended to meet Jazmin at Laguna Lake Park. As the detectives started to take Jazmin to the Sheriff’s Office, Murphy trailed them closely and crashed his car into an undercover vehicle.
The three individuals accused are set to receive their sentences on August 27.
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