August 13, 2026: District Attorney Hochman Continues to Aggressively Prosecute Commercial Sex Traffickers and Buyers on the Figueroa Corridor

A man attempting to buy sex from a 14-year-old girl on the Figueroa Corridor has been ordered to stand trial on conspiracy charges; his arraignment on the Information is set for today in the Foltz Criminal Justice Center

LOS ANGELES - A man who allegedly attempted to buy sex from a 14-year-old girl was held to answer on conspiracy charges on July 30, the same day the Office charged convicted human sex trafficker Jihad Jones with murdering a man on the Figueroa Corridor in an unsolved 2021 case. These cases reflect the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office's aggressive prosecutions of both the supply and demand side of the multibillion-dollar commercial sex exploitation market.

"The disturbing reality on the Figueroa Corridor is that the community witnesses blatant commercial sex activity and related violence in a residential neighborhood," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. "Jihad Jones, who is serving a 28-year sentence for kidnapping his sex trafficking victim off the street in broad daylight, is now accused of fatally shooting a man in cold blood on 70th Street. This defendant is just one example of the pervasive threat sex traffickers pose to our communities when they are allowed to commit horrific crimes on our streets with impunity.

"We also cannot eradicate commercial sex exploitation without aggressively seeking to disrupt the demand for commercial sex exploitation. We recently charged Jesus Jimenez Martinez, who is accused of openly attempting to buy sex from a 14-year-old girl on the Figueroa Corridor, with two conspiracies, using a novel legal approach to ensure sex buyers get the punishment they deserve and others are deterred. To human traffickers and sex buyers: beware that we are watching you, you will be arrested and we will prosecute you."

LADA's Human Sex Trafficking Section Secures Conviction and 28-Year Sentence

• Jihad Qahirnasi Jones (dob 12/30/83) of Los Angeles was sentenced in case 24CJCF03128 to 28 years in state prison on Aug. 3 after he was convicted by a jury of four felonies: human sex trafficking of an adult through the use of force, fraud or coercion; kidnapping; assault by force likely to produce great bodily injury; and dissuading a witness by force or threat.

• Jones exploited the victim as a sex worker between 2021 and 2024, starting when the victim was 18. He trafficked her in multiple states before returning to California. In 2023, after the victim gave birth to their son, Jones began acting violent toward the victim, controlling her through manipulation and threats and physically beating her when she did not follow his instructions related to sex work. He took control of her phone and kept all her earnings.

• In May 2024, once the victim was able to flee from Jones, he tracked the victim to the Figueroa Corridor and violently kidnapped her. Their 2-year-old son was in Jones's car during the kidnapping and assault. Jones also assaulted the victim's friend when she tried to help her flee.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Emily Chai of the Human Sex Trafficking Section of the Sex Crimes Division and investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division.

"I thank Deputy District Attorney Emily Chai and the Sex Crimes Division for securing justice in this case and keeping a violent domestic abuser and human sex trafficker behind bars," said District Attorney Hochman. "I also thank the Los Angeles Police Department for their relentless efforts to shut down human trafficking and protect victims."

New Evidence Links Convicted Sex Trafficker Jihad Jones to 2021 Murder

Jones is currently serving his 28-year sentence on human sex trafficking and related charges. On July 30, 2026, the Office charged Jones and codefendant Jacqueline Garcia (dob 11/7/00) with murder in case 26CJCF04722 after investigators discovered new evidence in the previously unsolved case.

• On Sept. 25, 2021, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the defendants allegedly murdered and attempted to rob a 25-year-old man on W. 70th Street along the Figueroa Corridor. Jones is accused of driving up to the victim's car, where he was parked with Garcia inside, and firing multiple rounds from a handgun into the car, killing the victim. Jones and Garcia allegedly fled in Jones's vehicle.

• Both defendants are charged with one felony count each of murder and attempted second-degree robbery. The special circumstance of murder during the commission of an attempted robbery is also alleged against both defendants.

• Gun sentencing enhancements are alleged against Jones with respect to both counts, including that he personally and intentionally discharged a handgun which caused death. Jones is also charged with two strike priors: robbery and active participation in a criminal street gang.

• If convicted as charged, both defendants face life in state prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

• Both defendants are scheduled for a preliminary hearing setting on Sept. 14 in Department 32 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson of the Major Crimes Division and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division.

LADA's Novel Approach: Charging Sex Buyers With Felony Conspiracies

"Laws against conspiracy aren't new, but my office's approach is. Buying sex is more insidious than misdemeanor solicitation laws allow; it victimizes entire communities and results in sex exploitation and human sex trafficking in Los Angeles County. The punishment should reflect the crime. I thank the Los Angeles Police Department's human sex trafficking enforcement teams for their partnership in this new approach to holding sex buyers accountable for the harm they cause. Our goal is deterrence, and sex buyers are duly warned by these charges."

Jesus Alberto Jimenez Martinez (3/6/00) of Los Angeles is accused in case 26CJCF02009 of attempting to buy sex from a 14-year-old girl along the Figueroa Corridor on March 27, 2026.

• He was held to answer on July 30 and will face trial on one felony count each of conspiracy to commit an act against public morals and conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.

• Jimenez Martinez allegedly drove himself and the 14-year-old commercial sex worker to a public residential location in furtherance of the conspiracies.

• He faces up to three years in prison if convicted as charged.

• His arraignment on the Information is set for today in Department 131 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• The Court released Jimenez Martinez on his own recognizance on April 1 at his arraignment on the Complaint.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Emily Chai and Scott Eisen of the Human Sex Trafficking Section of the Sex Crimes Division and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.

If you or someone you know is being trafficked, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-373-7888. All calls are confidential and answered live by highly trained Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates.

More resources are available on the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office's website in English and Spanish .