ICE San Diego, multiagency case results in guilty conviction for would-be sex trafficker attempting to entice, coerce child and adult into prostitution

SAN DIEGO — Steven Terrell Lewis, 39, of El Cajon, was convicted by a federal jury May 6 for attempted coercion and enticement of a 14-year-old high school student and attempted sex trafficking by force or coercion of a 22-year-old woman. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, the National City Police Department, the El Cajon Police Department, the San Diego Sheriff’s Office and the San Diego District Attorney’s Office are investigating this case.

“This guilty verdict sends the powerful message that those who exploit children will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. “This outcome is the result of relentless cooperation among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Our agency remains steadfast in our mission to bring perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice and to stand beside every victim until justice is served.”

According to evidence presented at the April 22, 2024, trial, the 14-year-old victim was walking to a friend’s house after school around 3 p.m. in El Cajon when Lewis used his vehicle to pin her on the sidewalk, exited his vehicle, and snatched her cellphone from her hand to get her phone number. Lewis then proceeded to send sexually explicit text messages from a phone number ending in 8155 to the victim before she was able to block the phone number. On April 23, 2024, Lewis continued texting the victim, except this time from a different phone number through TextFree, a mobile application and web service, from a phone number ending in 0014.

When Lewis identified himself as “Pimpin,” he sent a sexually explicit photograph to the 14-year-old victim and invited her to “go get some money” with him. She immediately notified a coach at her high school, who alerted the El Cajon Police Department and the San Diego Sheriff’s Office.

One week after Lewis’ attempt to sex traffic the minor victim failed, on April 28, 2024, he began recruiting the 22-year-old victim through MegaPersonals and sent a ride-share vehicle to take her to Roosevelt Avenue in National City, known as “The Blade,” to work street-based prostitution for his financial benefit. Fortunately, the next day, an undercover National City police officer posing as a commercial sex buyer picked up the adult victim offered her resources to leave prostitution. However, Lewis continued to message the adult victim (from both phone numbers ending in 8155 and 0014), threatening her to continue to engage in commercial sex for his benefit.

Officers from the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Lewis May 16, 2024, following physical surveillance of Lewis and searches of his vehicles, residence and cellphones.

The victims did not know each other.

Investigators believe that other victims exist because, during a search of Lewis’ phone, they discovered a photograph of a handwritten note that appears to have been written by a concerned parent. The note reads, “If I find out one more time that this car is following my daughter down Graves Ave we will have a problem. I suggest you f---- chill.”

At the time, Lewis was driving two vehicles registered to him, including a white, four-door 1996 Oldsmobile bearing California license plate number 3TIF671:

He also drove a brown or beige-colored, four-door 1986 Chevrolet bearing California license plate number 1REC517:

If you or someone you know has had an encounter with Lewis or you know the author of the note, investigators ask that you contact the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force by calling 888-373-7888 or texting 233733.

“The jury’s guilty verdicts are a powerful reminder that human trafficking has no place in our society. These verdicts are not just justice for the victims — it is a warning to human traffickers everywhere that those who exploit and attempt to exploit others for profit will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law, no matter how long it takes,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “I commend the bravery of the survivors who came forward. Their truth helped convict a predator — and protect countless others.”

“Every year, there are thousands of reported human trafficking cases across the United States — including right here in California,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Whether it’s for sex or labor, abusing power to force or coerce someone into doing something against their will is wrong. At the California Department of Justice, we’re committed to standing up for survivors, disrupting and dismantling human trafficking rings, and securing justice. I am thankful for our federal, state and local partners because it takes all of us to combat human trafficking. If you or someone you know has been affected by human trafficking, there are resources available to you. You are not alone.”

“As a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force, the protection of our youth is our top priority,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl. “This case highlights the importance of collaboration and the need to share information in order to bring suspects like this into custody.”

Lewis is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 1.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndzie M. Carter and Derek Ko.