People v. Spates CA4/3

FACTS

Evidence at Trial Defendant met Molly (who was 18 or 19 years old at the time) in July 2008 at a San Francisco strip club where Molly worked. Defendant began dating Molly and offered to employ her in his escort business, which he represented did not involve sexual activity. Defendant and Molly started a sexual relationship. Defendant began supplying Molly with methamphetamine. Molly began working for defendant’s escort service, which involved having sex with clients for money. Defendant took all of the money Molly received from clients and controlled every aspect of Molly’s life. Molly followed defendant’s orders. Defendant controlled Molly by yelling at her. Molly was arrested in October 2008, at which time she stopped using drugs and moved back in with a family member in San Francisco. But, by a ruse involving an offer to retrieve Molly’s property, defendant convinced Molly to return with him to Orange County. Molly’s relative asked police to investigate; a police officer located

1 All statutory references are to the Penal Code. 2 The prosecutor dismissed count 3, misdemeanor domestic violence battery (§ 243, subd. (e)(1)), after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous…