Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 14NF1794: April 21, 2014
MAN CHARGED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND PIMPING “MINOR” HE CONTACTED ON FACEBOOK
*“Minor” was an undercover police officer
FULLERTON – A man faces charges of human trafficking and pimping a minor who was actually an undercover police officer on Facebook. Dwight Lamith Garris, 34, Palmdale, is charged with one felony count each of human trafficking of a minor, pandering, and pimping of a minor. If convicted, Garris faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison. Garris is being held on $50,000 and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He was charged and arraigned on Friday, April 18, 2014, and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing April 28, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department N-12, North Justice Center, Fullerton.
Circumstances of the Case
Garris is accused of being a pimp/modern-day slave owner who exploits women and/or children for financial gain.
Between April 8, 2014, and April 16, 2014, Garris is accused of befriending an undercover officer on Facebook, whom he believed to be a 17-year-old girl. The defendant is accused of attempting to recruit her to work for him as a prostitute and instructing her to recruit other sex workers for Garris.
On April 16, 2014, Anaheim Police Department (APD) investigators traveled to Los Angeles County and arrested Garris. Continue reading