Steven Terrell Lewis, a 39-year-old resident of El Cajon, was found guilty by a federal jury on May 6. The charges against him included attempted coercion and enticement of a 14-year-old high school student and attempted sex trafficking by force or coercion of a 22-year-old woman. This case was investigated by multiple agencies including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, and several local police departments.
Shawn Gibson, ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge, stated: “This guilty verdict sends the powerful message that those who exploit children will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” He emphasized the collaborative effort among various law enforcement agencies in achieving this outcome.
During the trial, evidence showed that on April 22, 2024, Lewis used his vehicle to block a 14-year-old girl on a sidewalk in El Cajon. He took her cellphone to obtain her number and subsequently sent sexually explicit messages from different phone numbers. After identifying himself as “Pimpin,” he sent inappropriate content to the victim and invited her to join him for financial gain. The minor informed her coach, leading to police involvement.
Lewis’s attempts continued when he tried recruiting a 22-year-old woman for prostitution through MegaPersonals on April 28, 2024. An undercover officer later intervened while posing as a commercial sex buyer. Despite this intervention, Lewis persisted in sending threatening messages to coerce her into continuing sex work for his benefit.
Authorities arrested Lewis on May 16, 2024. A search revealed potential other victims due to evidence found on his phone.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon remarked: “The jury’s guilty verdicts are a powerful reminder that human trafficking has no place in our society.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta added: “Whether it’s for sex or labor, abusing power to force or coerce someone into doing something against their will is wrong.”
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl highlighted the importance of collaboration among agencies: “This case highlights the importance of collaboration and the need to share information in order to bring suspects like this into custody.”
Lewis is scheduled for sentencing on August 1.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lyndzie M. Carter and Derek Ko are prosecuting this case.
