‘She was sold across California’: Prosecutor details case against man convicted of trafficking Bakersfield teen

Rob Hagan
·2 min read
54

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Kern County jury found 32-year-old Rico Herring guilty of human trafficking a minor with an extra penalty for using violence, and threats during the trafficking, pandering, or pimping of a minor. He could face 15 years to life in prison.

“Under the law, she was a child. So, I think the jury got it right,” Kern County Deputy District Attorney Janae Knallay said outside the courthouse on Thursday.

Scrivner’s wife’s statement redacted from restraining order petition

Knallay was the prosecutor on the case.

She said it all started Dec. 5, 2022 when Herring began communicating online with the Bakersfield teen. It was through the Tagged Dating app — an app recommended for users 17 and older.

“Online is one of the number one recruiting forums human traffickers are using,” Knallay said. “They are physically going to high schools as well, but online is the big danger zone.”

On Dec. 7, 2022, the 16-year-old traveled hundreds of miles to meet the man twice her age. Herring bought the ticket.

“She got on a Greyhound bus, arrived in Sacramento, and then that’s where he immediately began forcing her to commit criminal sex acts,” Knallay said.

Herring sold her across the state of California by advertising her online. After a week, the girl said no more. Herring took her phone and left her in Fresno. Then it got worse.

Never miss a story – Make KGET.com your homepage

“He closed fist punched her, he also slapped her at times,” Knallay said. “He also slammed her head against a car window. He threatened to kill both her and one of her family members.”

A week later, Herring took her back to Sacramento and forced her to commit 7 to 10 sex acts a day to meet a $500 quota before she could come inside from the harsh winter nights.

Herring trafficked other female victims as well.

If convicted, Herring could face up to 15 years to life in prison and has to register as a sex offender because of the enhancement. Knallay said if not for the enhanced charge, Herring could’ve faced eight to 12 years in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.