Hesperia Man Arrested for Pimping and Pandering

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HESPERIA, Ca. – A 36-year-old Hesperia man was arrested for pimping a 25-year-old woman, authorities said.

The investigation began on July 9, 2021. The victim said that she met Marcus Smith at a business on the 13000 block of Main Street in the City of Hesperia. She told authorities that she met with Smith in order to pay him the money she had earned working as a prostitute. When she met with Smith, the two began arguing. The victim attempted to leave but Smith grabbed her keys and her cell phone. The victim was able to get away and run to the officer to ask employees to call the police. Smith left the location prior to deputies arriving.

As deputies continued to investigate the incident, initially reported as an assault and vehicle theft and learned that the incident was related to Human Trafficking. On July 12, 2021, the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force investigators responded to the Hesperia Police Department to be briefed on the incident. Case information was provided to investigators who assumed the investigation. The victim was interviewed by Task Force Investigators at the Hesperia Police Station.

Marcus Smith was positively identified as the suspect and evidence supporting the victims allegations were found. The case was submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office which led to a felony arrest warrant for Smith.

Smith was located and arrested on the 9100 block of Goldenrod Court in the City of Hesperia. He was booked at the West Valley Detention Center for Pimping and Pandering an adult. He is being held in lieu of $750,000 bail, per inmate records. He is scheduled to appear at the San Bernardino Superior Court on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

This investigation is ongoing, and investigators believe there are other unidentified victims related to this case. They are asking that anyone with information related to this investigation, please contact the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force at (909) 387-8400. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME, or you may leave the information on the WE-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.