Vincent Bailey, a 25-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $7,000 in restitution for sex trafficking a 16-year-old girl across multiple cities, including San Diego. The sentencing occurred on October 3, 2025.
According to court documents, Bailey contacted the minor via Instagram on June 25, 2024. He began a sexual relationship with her and introduced her into prostitution in Las Vegas. The following day, he transported the victim to Los Angeles and trafficked her in an area known for prostitution activity. On July 4, Bailey moved the minor from Los Angeles to San Diego for further trafficking. The next day, the victim sought help at a local restaurant where National City police officers responded and initiated an investigation with the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force.
The case details reveal that after being reported missing again by her mother on July 14, the victim was found with a tattoo under her left eye that matched one on Bailey. She was rescued a second time. On October 1, Bailey was arrested during a traffic stop by California Highway Patrol; another missing juvenile from Spokane, Washington was also found in his vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated: “This sentence holds the defendant accountable for the cruelty and exploitation he inflicted on a vulnerable 16-year-old girl. Branding a child as property and trafficking her for profit is an act of profound depravity. The 10-year prison term and $7,000 restitution order reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering justice for victims and ensuring traffickers pay for the harm they cause.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta added: “Human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors is a despicable crime that has no place in California. I’m proud of the work our California DOJ-led San Diego Human Trafficking Taskforce did to investigate and hold accountable the perpetrator of these horrific crimes. I’m grateful to our federal partners for their collaboration, and for holding Vincent Bailey accountable in a court of law. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to support survivors and combat human trafficking wherever it occurs. Our door remains open to anyone who believes they may be the victim of human trafficking: The California Department of Justice has your back.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Ko and Lyndzie M. Carter prosecuted this case.
Bailey pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1591(a)(1) and (b)(2), which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment.
The investigation involved several agencies working together through the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force—a collaborative effort among local, state, and federal law enforcement bodies such as the California Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), National City Police Department, California Highway Patrol (CHP), San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, among others.
This prosecution resulted from ongoing efforts by the Special Victims Unit (SVU), formed in April 2025 to lead collaborations between federal and local law enforcement targeting cases involving sex trafficking, child exploitation, civil rights violations, and labor trafficking.
Victims or those aware of possible human trafficking are encouraged to call or text national hotlines available around-the-clock for assistance.
