Human Trafficking Suspect Told Girl To 'Keep Their Plans Secret' Before Arrest: SFDA

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A 30-year-old man has been charged with trying to recruit an underage girl into sex work, San Francisco prosecutors said.

Jaquain Burton, who has two previous felony convictions dating back to 2018 and 2016, has been charged with two counts of human trafficking of a minor and one count of pandering by encouraging a minor, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.

Burton is accused of contacting the girl earlier this month and trying to recruit her into becoming a sex worker for him. He arranged to pick up the girl and told her to "keep their plans secret," prosecutors said.

It's unclear exactly how authorities found out about the suspected crime or how old the girl is.

Records show Burton was taken into custody on Thursday in connection with the crime. Burton is being held without bail after prosecutors argued to a judge that he poses a risk to the public.

The case was investigated by San Francisco's newly formed Human Trafficking Task Force — a multi-agency collaboration that combats "human trafficking in all its forms," authorities said.