LOS ANGELES
A federal grand jury indicted South Los Angeles woman who describes herself on social media as “The Most Hated Hoe in LA” on federal sex trafficking charges that include allegations that she used the internet to solicit two minor victims to engage in prostitution, officials announced Tuesday.
Melanie Denae Williams, 22, who uses the moniker “Pretty Hoe” on several social media platforms, was named in a five-count indictment returned Tuesday.
The indictment specifically alleges one count of sex trafficking an adult by force, fraud, or coercion; two counts of sex trafficking of a minor; and two counts of enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution.
Williams has been held without bond in a federal jail since she was taken into custody on Feb. 7 as a result of a criminal complaint (she was initially arrested by local authorities on December 24).
The affidavit in support of the complaint outlines allegations that Williams abused a woman she had recruited through social media to work as a prostitute.
In one incident, the indictment alleges that Williams ordered the victim to strip off her clothes, and then Williams threw bleach on the woman and beat her with her hands and a broomstick, according to the affidavit.
The indictment makes new allegations of sex trafficking involving two minor females.
The defendant is innocent unless proven guilty.
If convicted of any of the charges in the indictment, Williams would face a potential life sentence.