SAN DIEGO — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - California, Southern), published as received.

SAN DIEGO – Sedrick Shamall Jackson was sentenced in federal court today to 260 months in prison for sex trafficking a young woman through force, fraud, and coercion following a years-long pattern of manipulation, violence, and exploitation.

“Human traffickers who use fear, manipulation, and brutality to control their victims can expect lengthy federal prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

“This sentence holds Jackson accountable and sends a clear message that HSI and our law enforcement partners will pursue those who exploit and brutalize victims,” said Kevin Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego. “We remain committed to identifying trafficking survivors, supporting their path to safety and bringing their exploiters to justice.”

According to court documents and evidence presented to the court, Jackson recruited the victim when she was 18 years old and quickly established a controlling relationship that evolved into commercial sexual exploitation. Jackson taught the victim how to engage in prostitution, dictated where and how she worked, controlled all earnings generated from her commercial sex acts, and subjected her to repeated acts of physical violence, when she failed to meet his demands.

The evidence showed that Jackson transported the victim across multiple states, including Nevada, California, and Arizona, where he profited from her commercial sex acts. He controlled nearly every aspect of the victim's life, including where she lived, where she worked, the prices she charged, and how she advertised sexual services online.

Throughout the trafficking scheme, Jackson repeatedly assaulted the victim. Court records describe numerous instances in which he punched, kicked, whipped, and otherwise physically abused her, sometimes for days, causing significant injuries. The abuse was often accompanied by psychological manipulation designed to maintain control over the victim and discourage her from leaving.

On August 29, 2024, the victim fled Jackson and reported to officers with the National City Police Department that she was being sex trafficked. Even after she sought help from law enforcement, Jackson continued attempting to exert control over her through phone calls, manipulation, and threats.

Evidence presented at sentencing also showed that Jackson continued abusing the victim after she later returned to him. In October 2025, the victim escaped from an apartment in Denver after enduring another prolonged assault. She fled without shoes, a phone, or identification and sought help by calling 911. Responding officers documented extensive injuries consistent with the abuse described by the victim.

In imposing a sentence above the advisory federal sentencing guideline range, Judge Robinson cited the victim's youth, the extreme and repeated violence inflicted upon her, and the serious bodily injuries she suffered. The court also considered Jackson's criminal history, including prior convictions involving violent offenses against women.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 25-cr-4580-TWR                   

Sedrick Jackson                                              Age: 27                                   Detroit, MI

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Count 1 – Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1594(c)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison; a maximum $10 million fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations, San Diego 

San Diego Sheriff’s Office 

Homeland Security Investigations, Denver

Homeland Security Investigations, Las Vegas

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Las Vegas Metro Police Department

Denver Police Department

Denver District Attorney’s Office

Arizona Department of Public Safety

Mohave County District Attorney’s Office

The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force is a cooperative effort involving the California Department of Justice, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, National City Police Department, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, San Diego City Attorney’s Office, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Probation Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Special Victims Unit. Formed in April 2025, the SVU is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving sex trafficking and child exploitation, civil rights, and labor trafficking. The SVU oversees the Southern District of California liaisons to the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force and Project Safe Childhood.