LOS ANGELES, CA – A federal jury has found a former Riverside County man guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along South Los Angeles’ Figueroa Corridor.
The Conviction
Following a five-day federal trial, Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, California, was found guilty on June 26, 2026.
Shabazz was convicted of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He has been in federal custody since his arrest in May 2025.
Details of the Case
Court documents and trial testimony revealed that Shabazz initially led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before becoming physically violent. Between May and October of 2021, he forced her to work under a strict daily financial quota in the Figueroa Corridor, an area known by law enforcement for human trafficking.
Prosecutors stated that Shabazz isolated the victim by confiscating her identification, Social Security card, and birth certificate. He also monitored her phone to cut off contact with family and controlled her daily schedule, including when she ate and slept.
Sentencing and Official Statements
Shabazz’s sentencing hearing is officially scheduled for October 6, 2026, where he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years to life in federal prison.
Department of Justice officials commended the victim’s immense courage in testifying during the trial, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to aggressively prosecuting human trafficking cases.
How to Report
Authorities urge anyone with information about human trafficking or those seeking help to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
