A federal jury has convicted Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion following a five-day trial. Prosecutors presented evidence that Shabazz, a former Riverside County resident, held a victim captive and forced her to engage in commercial sex acts on Figueroa Street in Los Angeles between May and October 2021. He has remained in federal custody since May 2025.
Details of the Criminal Conduct
According to trial testimony, Shabazz initially led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before resorting to extreme violence and psychological control. The victim testified that Shabazz demanded she meet daily quotas for commercial sex proceeds and threatened her with a handgun, including instances where he pistol-whipped her and fired shots at her feet.
To maintain control, Shabazz confiscated the victim’s identification, birth certificate, and social security card. He restricted her ability to communicate with family or friends by monitoring her phone and dictated her daily routine, including her eating, sleeping, and showering habits. He also introduced the victim to addictive narcotics to ensure her compliance, according to evidence presented in court.
Elias Abdul Shabazz was acquitted by the jury on one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, though he was found guilty of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
Implications and Judicial Consequences
The conviction follows a multi-agency effort, with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) leading the probe. Assistant United States Attorney Kim Meyer and Trial Attorney Kate A. Alexander prosecuted the case. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division noted that the case underscored the severity of physical and sexual violence used to compel commercial sex acts for profit.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli and HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang both emphasized the importance of holding traffickers accountable for the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The victim’s testimony regarding the dangers of working on Figueroa Street was a central component of the prosecution’s case.
The significant mandatory minimum sentence facing the defendant reflects the federal judiciary’s focus on the intersection of violent crime and human trafficking. Because the jury found the defendant guilty of trafficking by force, the sentencing phase will likely center on the severity of the physical abuse and the duration of the victim’s captivity.
What Happens Next
United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr. has set an October 6 sentencing hearing for Shabazz. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum of life imprisonment. The outcome of that hearing will determine the final length of his incarceration for the crimes committed during the 2021 period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mandatory minimum sentence for this conviction?
The defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, with a statutory maximum of life imprisonment.
Where did the criminal activity take place?
Evidence presented at trial indicated the conduct occurred between May 2021 and October 2021, with the victim compelled to work on Figueroa Street in Los Angeles.
How can someone report human trafficking?
Information can be reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How can communities better identify the signs of psychological coercion in potential trafficking situations?