Executive Summary
- Jesus Ramirez was sentenced to 25 years in prison for human trafficking and kidnapping.
- The defendant kidnapped a former partner at gunpoint and forced two women into prostitution.
- One victim escaped captivity by jumping from a moving vehicle.
- Ramirez pleaded guilty to charges including trafficking with great bodily injury.
- Officials cited the sentence as one of the longest for trafficking in county history.
STOCKTON, Calif. — A California man was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Tuesday for kidnapping a former romantic partner and forcing her and another woman into prostitution, according to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Officials confirmed that Jesus Ramirez received the sentence after pleading guilty in March 2024 to charges of human trafficking with great bodily injury and kidnapping. As part of the sentencing, Ramirez is also required to register as a sex offender for life.
Prosecutors stated the events began on Halloween 2022, when Ramirez kidnapped a woman he had previously dated at gunpoint. He transported the victim to a motel where he blocked the exits and utilized threats of violence to force her into commercial sex acts. The District Attorney’s Office noted that Ramirez was assisted by co-conspirators during these crimes, including a juvenile.
According to authorities, the first victim eventually escaped by jumping from a moving vehicle near Spanos Elementary School. Several weeks later, law enforcement located a second victim who disclosed she had also been subjected to trafficking, violence, and deprivation of food. Both victims described a pattern of abuse designed to prevent them from fleeing.
Judicial Impact and Enforcement Strategy
District Attorney Ron Freitas described the outcome as one of the longest prison sentences ever imposed for human trafficking within San Joaquin County. This sentencing reflects a rigorous application of state laws regarding trafficking with great bodily injury enhancements. The case underscores a strategic focus by local prosecutors to secure substantial custodial terms for offenders who exploit vulnerable populations, establishing a significant precedent for future trafficking prosecutions in the region.
