People v. Beman

The defendant pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit human trafficking based on allegations that for more than seven years, he and his coconspirators used threats, force, and violence in pimping at least three victims. The defendant also pleaded no contest to two counts of human trafficking for his conduct against one of the victims in 2011. For all three counts, the trial court sentenced Defendant to 16 years, eight months in prison. Defendant argued that the two consecutive terms imposed for the two substantive human trafficking counts must be stayed under Penal Code section 654(a), which provides, “An act or omission that is punishable in different ways by different provisions of law shall be punished under the provision that provides for the longest potential term of imprisonment, but in no case shall the act or omission be punished under more than one provision.” The court of appeal affirmed the sentence, rejecting the claim because the defendant’s conspiracy to commit human trafficking had broader objectives and involved more victims than the two substantive offenses. View "People v. Beman" on Justia Law