Federal and local authorities arrested six individuals in Los Angeles as part of a crackdown on an alleged sex trafficking ring operated by members and associates of the Hoover Criminal Gang. The 31-count indictment charges 11 defendants with racketeering conspiracy, including sex trafficking of minors and adults through force, fraud, or coercion along the Figueroa Corridor in South Los Angeles.
This operation marks the first significant federal takedown targeting sex trafficking on the Figueroa Corridor, an area known for high levels of prostitution.
The defendants charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act are: Amaya Armstead (“Lady Duck”), Kenyondre Young (“Yunkg Poke”), Naziz Harris (“N4”), Avery Amoako (“Handz”), Jared Evans (“Jmoney”), Mathew Brooks (“Vermont Star”), Derail Robinson (“Popkorn”), Jalon Phillips (“Chop Em”), Bryan Isrel (“4Loc”), Tejohn Gray (“Tiny3”), and Tommy Crockham (“Tommy Gunz”). They also face additional charges such as sex trafficking of minors, transportation of a minor for sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child, drug trafficking conspiracy, money laundering to promote unlawful activity, and conspiracy to straw purchase firearms.
Five suspects—Amoako, Evans, Brooks, Phillips, and Crockham—were arrested Wednesday morning. Armstead was transferred from state to federal custody. Authorities are seeking Isrel.
“The U.S. Department of Justice, under the leadership of Attorney General Pamela Bondi, is making Los Angeles safer by arresting prolific gang members who are viciously trafficking young woman and children for sex,” said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “There are no meaningful consequences for their conduct under state law, so the federal government – aided by its local law enforcement partners – will step in to make sure these criminals face lengthy prison sentences. Today’s operation is the first step in returning the Figueroa Corridor – long known as prostitution haven – back to its residents who have suffered for too long while criminals were allowed to run amok.”
“Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes perpetuated throughout the world,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “No human should be for sale – not here in Los Angeles or anywhere in our society. Today’s operation is a result of our commitment to identify and rescue victims of trafficking and to hold accountable these criminal organizations exploiting them.”
“These violent gang members profited from horrific crimes and used online apps to move their money and further their criminal enterprise,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office. “Special Agents at IRS-CI are experts in tracing illegal funds and linking criminals to their illegal acts. IRS-CI is committed to protecting victims and prosecuting criminal offenders involved in money laundering, sex trafficking, and other violent crime.”
“The exploitation of vulnerable women and children through sex trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes our society faces,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “The victims in this case – many of them minors, runaways, or from the foster care system – were preyed upon by individuals who sought to profit from their pain. The Los Angeles Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to working with our federal partners to dismantle these criminal networks, bring their perpetrators to justice, and ensure survivors receive the protection and support they deserve.”
According to court documents covering February 2021 through August 2025, investigators allege that members of the Hoovers controlled much of the prostitution activity along Figueroa Street by recruiting vulnerable girls—including runaways or those from foster care—and young women via social media or personal contact. The group allegedly managed victims’ activities closely: pooling resources for motel rooms used for commercial sex work; transporting victims; coordinating advertisements; sending each other money electronically; disciplining noncompliant victims through assault or humiliation; providing drugs such as oxycodone or amphetamines; branding victims with tattoos bearing gang monikers; producing rap music videos glorifying gang activities; posting assaults online; all aimed at intimidating victims into compliance.
In April 2022 incident cited by prosecutors, Gray and accomplices tried unsuccessfully to force two women into a car near San Bernardino—a location also associated with prostitution activity.
Another example detailed how Armstead and Evans allegedly used rooms at a South L.A. motel called Stadium Inn during April 2024 for commercial sexual exploitation involving at least one minor victim—a 14-year-old girl—who was provided condoms for encounters over several days.
If convicted on all counts related specifically to child sex trafficking offenses brought federally since passage of relevant statutes (https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/child-sex-trafficking), some defendants would face mandatory minimum sentences starting at 15 years up to life imprisonment.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), U.S. Attorney’s Office for Central District California—with support from agencies such as Nebraska State Patrol, Keith County Attorney’s Office (Nebraska), California Highway Patrol (CHP), LA Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS), National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), among others focused on missing youth issues nationwide (https://missingkids.org).
Assistant United States Attorneys Chelsea Norell (Violent & Organized Crime Section) and Mirelle Raza (General Crimes Section) are leading prosecution efforts.
All accused remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
