News Summary

Leslie Anthony Bailey, a 33-year-old from Wilmington, admitted to horrific acts of sex trafficking in California. He exploited vulnerable women, forcing them into prostitution under threats and addiction. His crimes culminated in a violent incident where he abandoned a victim in a national forest. Bailey faces serious prison time as he awaits sentencing for his actions, which highlight the ongoing issues of human trafficking and addiction in society.

Wilmington Man Admits to Terrifying Sex Trafficking Crimes in California

In a shocking turn of events, Leslie Anthony Bailey, a 33-year-old resident of Wilmington, has confessed to engaging in horrific crimes involving sex trafficking and the abandonment of a woman in a remote forest. This unsettling case, revealed by federal prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, highlights the dark and dangerous underbelly of human trafficking and drug addiction.

Chilling Details of the Crime

When Bailey first reached out to the woman in February 2022, he seemingly had no idea the consequences of his actions. The woman, who was battling a fentanyl addiction, disclosed her withdrawal symptoms to him. Instead of offering help, Bailey took advantage of her vulnerability, proposing a disturbing exchange: he would provide her with fentanyl in return for sex acts performed for money. This sinister proposal launched a cycle of coercion that would change the woman’s life forever.

After luring her to his home in Long Beach, he led her down a rabbit hole of exploitation. In a notorious area of Anaheim, known for prostitution, Bailey forced the woman to perform sexual acts for clients, taking every penny she earned as he continued to supply her with fentanyl to keep her under his control. As the days wore on and the transactions piled up, Bailey resorted to threats, asserting he would beat her if she tried to escape.

A Twisted Conclusion in the Forest

One fateful day, on February 8, 2022, Bailey pretended to comply with the woman’s wishes by agreeing to return her to a treatment facility. However, in a shocking twist, he instead drove her to a secluded area in the Angeles National Forest. There, the situation escalated dramatically; it is alleged that Bailey physically assaulted her through punching and kicking, culminating in a brutal rape. In a heartless act, he abandoned her in the forest before fleeing the scene.

Continuing the Cycle of Abuse

Bailey’s sinister activities didn’t stop there. In March 2023, he allegedly returned to social media to recruit another woman into his repugnant prostitution ring. This second victim endured similar harrowing experiences as she was exploited across several counties in California, including Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego. Reports indicate that Bailey employed both threats and physical force to maintain control over her, illustrating the ongoing nature of his criminal enterprise.

The Road Ahead

Bailey now faces serious repercussions for his actions. Scheduled for sentencing on July 18, he is looking at a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison, with a chilling maximum of life imprisonment. While he has pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking via force and coercion, his attorney has called into question claims labeling him as a monster or suggesting he raped the women involved.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the struggles many people face when caught in the vicious cycle of addiction and exploitation, underscoring the necessity for vigilance and advocacy against human trafficking. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community watches closely, hoping justice is served and that survivors find the support and resources they desperately need.

The haunting tales of these women linger, but with each step toward justice, we inch closer to breaking the chains of such horrific crimes.