SAN BERNARDINO >> For the first time since Prop. 35 was passed in California, a local man convicted Tuesday of pimping could face a life sentence in prison.
Christopher Lee Knox is the first defendant locally to face an elevated sentence following his conviction of human trafficking with the use of force allegation, officials said.
Prop 35, which was overwhelmingly passed by voters last year, increases prison sentences and fines for human trafficking convictions.
“The defendant took advantage of this vulnerable victim, physically assaulted her, and used her to traffic sex,” San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos said. “Today’s verdict was the perfect example of how this was going to work,” he said of Prop 35.
Knox, 28, was found guilty Tuesday of procuring another person for the purpose of prostitution,pimping a minor and persuading a minor to engage in commercial sex. Jurors also found it true that Knox used force, fear, coercion, violence or threat of unlawful injury to the victim.
Because of Prop 35, he now faces 15 years to life.
“Prior to Prop 35, the maximum term he could have faced would have been 8 years,” Deputy District Attorney Melissa Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said she is “very, very pleased with the verdict” and “thrilled that the new proposition is in place.”
“This sends a message, not only to this defendant but other defendants who commit this type of offense, that the state is taking it very seriously.” she said.
At the time the victim was a 16-year-old runaway, officials said. In the early morning of Feb. 24, the girl was coerced back to Knox’s hotel room in San Bernardino.
“He laid down his rules for pimping then he grabbed her by the face and told her he takes his pimping very seriously,” said San Bernardino police Detective Jennifer Kohrell, one of the investigating officers in the case. “Then he took out his taser and threatened her with it to make sure she knew the rules.”
After that, Knox brought the victim to Base Line to work as a prostitute, Kohrell said.
San Bernardino police officers patrolling the area saw the girl and made contact with her. The girl eventually admitted to police that she was working for a pimp.
Knox, who goes by the name “Daddy Ceazalee,” was taken into custody that same day, Kohrell said.
Police found out later that he had at least two other prostitutes working for him.
“Justice has been served for all three of those women,” Kohrell said.
Jurors in the Knox trial started deliberating on Monday, following five days of testimony and evidence inside the San Bernardino Courthouse. Their verdict was read the next morning.
A court hearing is scheduled Thursday to discuss Knox’s priors. His sentencing date will also be addressed.
