Suspected Richmond Pimp Could Stand Trial For Kidnapping Charges
MARTINEZ (CBS SF) -- A Contra Costa County Superior Court judge will hear evidence Monday to decide whether a suspected pimp should stand trial on charges of kidnapping a human trafficking victim on her way to a police interview in El Cerrito.
Erik Ealy II, 24, of Richmond, is scheduled to appear in court in Martinez this afternoon for a preliminary hearing. Ealy is charged with numerous felonies including two counts of human trafficking, kidnapping by force, kidnapping for robbery, attempted false imprisonment and pimping, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.
The charges stem from his alleged kidnapping of an El Cerrito woman whom he was suspected of pimping.
Ealy initially drew police attention on June 3 when a woman called and said Ealy was her pimp and had accused her of withholding money, grabbed her neck and threw her against a wall before taking money from her bag, according to police.
The victim was scheduled to be interviewed by police but never showed up. She later told investigators that Ealy had abducted her on the way to the interview.
After setting up surveillance and discovering the suspect had outstanding warrants, investigators followed and arrested him at a BART station on June 24.
Ealy was taken to county jail in Martinez, where he is being held on $1.6 million bail.
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