DATE: April 23, 2024

CASE: Xavier Atu Collins (Case #23FE009283)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin, Human Trafficking Unit

Xavier Atu Collins was convicted by a jury of human sex trafficking of a minor by force or violence, persuading a minor to engage in commercial sex acts, pandering by encouraging and preventing/dissuading a victim from making a report.

In January 2023, Collins began contacting the 16-year-old victim on Instagram. Collins would tell her how pretty she was and how she could be successful and prosperous if she became a prostitute for him. After several weeks of Collins grooming the victim, she agreed to become a part of what Collins called his “program.” Collins had presented himself as a supportive mentor, but he became increasingly controlling and violent. He would regularly threaten the victim if she failed to comply with his directions and physically assaulted her on several occasions. Sacramento County sheriff’s detectives contacted the victim one night in an area known for significant prostitution activity. The victim and her parents disclosed what had Collins had been doing to the victim. When Collins found out that the victim had talked to law enforcement, he repeatedly reached out to her and directed her not to cooperate with any investigation and not to go court to testify.  Detectives began an investigation, which revealed other victims. One of the victims was a 15-year-old girl who had been recruited by Collins in a similar way as the 16-year-old victim. Collins had also been facilitating, directing, encouraging and benefiting from the prostitution of his 18-year-old girlfriend, even while she was pregnant with his child.

Collins faces a maximum sentence of 22 years and 4 months to life in prison.  Sentencing is set for July 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 42 before the Honorable Michael Bowman.