Three sentenced for sex trafficking minor
– Three people convicted of sex trafficking a 15-year-old girl in San Luis Obispo County in 2021 were sentenced to state prison Thursday, according to a press release from the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow.
Tremaine Quincy Tejon Jones, 32, of Los Angeles, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Joshua Diante Murphy, 31, of Fresno, received 14 years and 4 months. Heather Lynne Hunt, 32, of Reno, was sentenced to 8 years. Each defendant is required to register as a sex offender for life.
On July 24, San Luis Obispo County juries found Jones, Murphy, and Hunt guilty of multiple crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor and pimping of a minor under the age of 16.
“Each of these defendants sexually exploited a 15-year-old girl for financial gain,” Deputy District Attorney Kimberly R. Dittrich said. “This remarkable young survivor was brave enough to come to court and testify over several days before three juries. Because of her courage these criminals were held accountable. She told the terrible truth of her victimization and the juries listened. We are grateful.”
District Attorney Dan Dow said, “Trafficking a juvenile for commercial sexual exploitation is outrageous criminal conduct that devastates its victims leaving wounds for a lifetime and that’s why we work so hard to combat it here in San Luis Obispo County. We honor this young survivor who demonstrated strength, courage and resilience during the lengthy process. We are deeply grateful to the jurors and the Superior Court staff who ensured that this historic three defendant trial was completed in a timely and professional manner.”
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Dittrich of the District Attorney’s Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit. Victim and witness support was provided by Victim Advocate Divina Diaz and Witness Coordinator Kellie Navarro.
Agencies assisting in the case included the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, the San Luis Obispo Area California Highway Patrol ISU Team, the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Santa Maria Office, and the Reno Police Department HEAT Team. Nonprofit organizations DeliverFund and Freedom Calling also assisted.
Booking photos of the defendants and a copy of the charging document were made available by the District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth can be contacted at (805) 781-5819 for questions about the case.
