San Jose man convicted of human trafficking in Salinas – Monterey Herald

(Arianna Nalbach-Monterey Herald)

The Monterey County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday that Courtney Davenport, 43, of San Jose, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison for one count of adult human trafficking for commercial sex and one count of domestic violence. In addition to the prison sentence, Davenport will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The Salinas Police Department received a 911 call in February 2023 from a Jane Doe, an adult and Wisconsin resident, who was calling from a restaurant on Kern Street. When police arrived, she explained that her boyfriend, Davenport, had hit her after she refused to leave their motel room and engaged in the sex trade for Davenport's financial benefit, according to the release. from the prosecutor's office. In response, Davenport allegedly hit Jane Doe in the eye with his elbow. While speaking with police, Davenport came out of another restaurant and began screaming. He was arrested and found in possession of a knife, police said.

Police conducted several interviews, searched the motel room and searched cell phones to discover that Davenport appeared to have forced Jane Doe to engage in sexual acts for his financial gain. This involved forcing Jane Doe to follow a strict set of rules that controlled her movements via tracking, exercised financial control over her daily activities, and threatened her with violence whenever she refused.

Police say Davenport controlled what sexual acts Jane Doe performed, who she performed them for, how much she had to charge and how much she had to pay for each before she was allowed back into their motel room.

Law enforcement authorities ask that if you or someone you know is forced into the sex trade or any other type of work, call 911 or contact the National Sex Helpline. human trafficking at 1-888-373-7888.