North Bay runaway teen turns up in Oakland, 32-year-old man charged with trafficking her
Kevin Fuqua, 32, was hit with federal charges of sex trafficking a minor.
OAKLAND — A Richmond man is facing federal sex trafficking charges, after police reportedly uncovered evidence he was pimping a teen girl who had run away from her home in Solano County.
In January, Oakland police on an anti-prostitution investigation detained a 17-year-old girl near International Boulevard and Fruitvale Avenue. She was initially uncooperative but eventually identified the man authorities believe was pimping her.
Kevin Fuqua, 32, who authorities wrote goes by the nickname “Knote,” was charged with a count of sex trafficking, which carries up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The criminal complaint against Fuqua alleges he knew the girl was underage — having attended her 17th birthday months before the arrest — and that he forced her to walk areas known for prostitution until she made $500 per night.
In February, the Alameda County District Attorney’s office charged Fuqua with human trafficking, pimping, pandering and statutory rape, according to court records. The federal complaint was filed Oct. 10.
Investigators say they uncovered text messages that indicate Fuqua was physically abusing the girl.
“I just don’t see why you have to get physical,” the girl wrote in one text, according to police.
“Why you got to act like I can’t control my b—-,” Fuqua allegedly responded.
“You embarrassed me … you just made it sound like I’m not a good b—-,” she allegedly said later in the conversation. “I understand the choke but that hit so unnecessary.”
Later, Fuqua allegedly replied, “wat (sic) I got to do to make it up to you,” according to the complaint.
In another conversation, the girl allegedly texted Fuqua, “I need some cigarettes, daddy.”
“Ok but you need to caught a date tho (sic),” Fuqua replied, referring to an encounter with a john, the complaint says.
Fuqua was advised of the charges and remanded into custody at an initial Oct. 11 court appearance. He has not yet entered a plea, according to court records.