Local

They had a “fling” in Vegas and he promised to help her get a job at Tesla. When he arrived in Oakland, he revealed himself to be a pimp, police say

Lina PortmanJune 6, 2024

463 1 minute read

Thanks for reading!

Unlock this story and more with a free account.

Already subscribed?

FLASH SALE
Don't miss this offer

Standard digital access

OAKLAND — A local resident has been charged with pimping a woman in her 20s after they met on social media, met in Las Vegas and agreed to meet in the Bay Area to continue their relationship.

The suspect, Michael Oliver, 32, even promised to help him find a job at Tesla. Instead, police said that when the woman — known only as Jane Doe in court records — arrived at the Oakland airport, Oliver informed her that she owed him $1,000 and that she should settle them by prostituting herself.

That began a two-day period during which, police say, Oliver took the woman to areas known for prostitution in Oakland and Richmond and asked her to walk the streets. When she brought in $360 the second night, he became angry and hit her, and police intervened, according to a probable cause statement filed in court.

Oliver is now accused of pandering and pimping. But Oliver has so far avoided more serious human trafficking charges, which are reserved for scenarios in which prosecutors believe they can prove that a person was forced or coerced into engaging in sex work.

Police say Oliver and the woman met on social media, arranged to meet for a brief “fling” in Las Vegas, then he convinced her to come to Oakland, where he lives.

Oliver is next scheduled to appear in court on June 12 for a preliminary hearing. He was charged in the case on April 25, but his legal problems run deeper.

Oliver also faces two separate gun cases. One stems from an arrest with two others for allegedly possessing firearms in public in Berkeley. Then, when Oakland police and U.S. Marshals arrested him on April 23, they allegedly found a loaded gun on Oliver's waistband during a search. This resulted in the second felony weapons case.

Oliver was released from jail on $150,000 bail while the case is pending, records show.

Read more at East Bay Times