Oakland Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking Minor

Keynin McGee, a 27-year-old man from Oakland, California, has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a minor in the Eastern District of California. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and highlights a disturbing case of exploitation that began in 2021.

According to court documents, McGee met the minor victim through Instagram. After months of communication, he purchased a bus ticket for her to travel to meet him. Upon her arrival, McGee picked her up at the bus station, bought her clothing, and took her to a hotel. He subsequently posted photographs of the victim online on a website commonly used for buying and selling sex.

McGee then transported the victim to outdoor areas in Oakland and San Francisco known for commercial sex work. There, he instructed her to solicit sex buyers from passing cars. As a result of McGee's actions, the minor engaged in commercial sex acts with multiple buyers.

Sentencing and Legal Proceedings

McGee is scheduled to be sentenced by U. S. District Judge Jennifer L.

Thurston on January 19, 2027. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could receive a maximum of life imprisonment. The final sentence will be determined by the court, taking into account the U.

S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI, with assistance from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, is investigating the case. Deputy Chief Leah Branch of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case.

Official Statements

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, "Exploiting a child for financial gain is reprehensible and heinous." He added that the guilty plea reflects the department's commitment to protecting children from sex trafficking.

Special Agent in Charge Brian Tosh of FBI Sacramento remarked, "Keynin McGee reduced his young victim to a commodity to be bought and sold for his own gain." He assured that the FBI, along with law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue those who exploit children.

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors, stating that the guilty plea illustrates their dedication to eradicating sex trafficking and holding traffickers accountable.

Anyone with information about human trafficking is encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which is available 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888. More information on human trafficking can be found at www.humantraffickinghotline.org and the Justice Department’s website.