Alpine detectives helped end pimp’s career

Detectives and deputies from the Alpine sheriff’s station played a significant role in arresting an El Cajon man who was sentenced Sept. 21 to 15 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a 15-year-old girl.

Joseph Edward Price, 23, was given the term by U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns after both the pros­ecutor and defense attorney recommended the manda­tory minimum sentence of 15 years.

Price was arrested Aug. 14, 2019, after Alpine detec­tives and the Human Trafficking Task Force discovered he was acting as a pimp for a minor.

The girl was returned to her home the same day Price was arrested, said the sheriff’s department in a press release that day.

Price was originally arrested for a parole violation, but he later pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor.

Price at one point slapped her in the face when she said she didn’t want to do a sex act, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

“Sex trafficking of teenagers targets some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community, and leaves in its wake trauma that can affect victims for the rest of their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer.

“The U.S. Attorney’s office is deeply committed to ensuring that justice is done for the victims of these horrible crimes,” added Brewer.

Price’s plea agreement says he met the 15-year-old girl online and arranged for her to engage in 11 sexual encounters with other men. The charge is federal be­cause he used a cellphone and online social media that involves interstate commerce.

The girl gave Price $7,000 in cash over a month from the men she had sexual encounters with, according to court records. “She stated that Price took all the money,” according to court records.

The girl’s mother saw her daughter in a vehicle driv­en by a man, and she tried to get her out of the car. The driver fled by driving over curbs to escape.

Later, the girl’s mother discovered she was able to “geo-locate her daughter” via social media and reported the El Cajon house to the sheriff’s department. Alpine deputies determined the house was associated with Price, who was on parole for burglary, according to court records.

Price had taken the girl to a friend’s home on Aug. 14, 2019, and she was found there by deputies. She was traced there via social media, records say.

Price was arrested and his Apple iPhone was seized. Price texted buyers who answered online ads offering commercial sex with the girl.

Price also was linked to communication with two Tex­as girls in which he wanted to act as their pimp for com­mercial sex acts, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Burns ordered Price to register as a sex offender in whatever community he lives after his release and to pay a $100 penalty assessment.

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