South L.A. Sex Trafficker Sentenced Nearly 29 Years

Derran Adkins pleaded guilty to trafficking a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old along the Figueroa Corridor

Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:28pm

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A 26-year-old South L.A. man named Derran Adkins was sentenced to 28 years and 8 months in state prison for trafficking a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman along the Figueroa Corridor. Adkins pleaded guilty to one felony count of human trafficking of an adult and one felony count of human trafficking of a minor for commercial sex acts, and admitted to inflicting great bodily injury on both victims.

Why it matters

The Figueroa Corridor in South L.A. has long been known as a hub for street-level sex trafficking, and this case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community organizations to combat human trafficking in the area. The severe sentence handed down to Adkins sends a strong message about the consequences for those who engage in these heinous crimes.

The details

According to prosecutors, Adkins met the 17-year-old victim through social media and forced her into commercial sex in November 2024. The 19-year-old victim worked for Adkins from April 2024 through January 2025. Adkins allegedly took all of the victims' earnings and responded to any attempt to flee with repeated physical assaults, including punching a victim in the face, burning one with a heated metal spoon, whipping another with a hanger, and mutilating a girl's hand when she tried to escape.

  • Adkins met the 17-year-old victim through social media and forced her into commercial sex in November 2024.
  • The 19-year-old victim worked for Adkins from April 2024 through January 2025.
  • Adkins pleaded guilty on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Adkins was sentenced on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • A restitution hearing for the victims is scheduled for June 26, 2026.

The players

Derran Adkins

A 26-year-old South L.A. man who pleaded guilty to trafficking a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman along the Figueroa Corridor. He was sentenced to 28 years and 8 months in state prison and must register as a sex offender for life.

Nathan J. Hochman

The Los Angeles County District Attorney who praised prosecutors and the LAPD's South Bureau Human Trafficking Task Force for building the case against Adkins.

Emily Chai

The Deputy District Attorney from the Sex Crimes Division's Human Sex Trafficking Section who prosecuted the case against Adkins.

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What they’re saying

“A violent sex trafficker and modern-day enslaver has been taken off the streets.”

— Nathan J. Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney (Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office)

What’s next

A restitution hearing for the victims is scheduled for June 26, 2026 in Department 103 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community organizations to combat human trafficking along the Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a known hub for street-level sex trafficking. The severe sentence handed down to Derran Adkins sends a strong message about the consequences for those who engage in these heinous crimes.