People v. Richardson CA5

INTRODUCTION

A jury convicted Kajuan Richardson (appellant) of three counts of human trafficking of a minor (Pen. Code, § 236.1, subd. (c); counts 1-3),1 pimping (§ 266h, subd. (a); count 4), being a felon in possession of a firearm (§ 29800, subd. (a)(1); count 5), misdemeanor possession of cannabis for sale (Health & Saf. Code, § 11359, subd. (b); count 6), and misdemeanor possession of child pornography (§ 311.11, subd. (a); count 7). As to counts 1 and 2, the jury found not true the allegation that the offenses involved force or fear. (§ 236.1, subd. (c)(2).) Following trial, as to counts 1-3, the trial court found appellant was previously convicted of a human trafficking offense. (§ 236.4, subd. (c).) The court sentenced appellant to 27 years eight months in state prison. On appeal, appellant contends his convictions on counts 2 and 4 were not supported by sufficient evidence. He also claims that the trial court should have excluded a video of appellant having sex with one of the juvenile victims pursuant to Evidence Code section 352, erred in admitting text and social media messages sent by one of the victims, and committed instructional error. We conclude the convictions…