Los Angeles

South LA Prostitute Pleads to Federal Sex Trafficking Charge

Melanie Williams, 23, faces a minimum of 15 years in prison for her plea to a single count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

A South Los Angeles prostitute known as "Pretty Hoe" on social media pleaded guilty today to a federal sex-trafficking charge, admitting she used the internet to try to enlist underage girls to work for her on the streets.

Melanie Williams, 23, faces a minimum of 15 years in prison for her plea to a single count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. U.S. District Judge George H. Wu scheduled sentencing for Jan. 28.

According to prosecutors, Williams physically abused a woman she had recruited via social media to work as a prostitute. Williams ordered the unnamed victim to strip off her clothes, and then threw bleach on the woman and beat her with her hands and a broomstick, according to a court affidavit.

Federal prosecutors also contend that Williams forced the woman to tattoo "Melanie" on her face to show she was her property.

Williams -- who has a large social media presence on Snapchat and Instagram -- was sentenced last year to three months in jail for prostitution, according to the affidavit. She also refers to herself on social media as "the most hated hoe in LA."

Copyright City News Service
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