April 1, 2009 CASE UPDATES: April 2009State v. Clark: Defendant DeShawn Clark, an alleged West Seattle gang member of the "Westside Street Mobb," has been charged with Human Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution, Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Unlawful Imprisonment, and Assault for his violent role in running a prostitution ring, where some of the female victims were as young as 14. Five other men have also been charged for their roles in these crimes. This is the first case in which the PAO has used the state Human Trafficking law to crack down on violent pimps. Return to the News State v. Lopez-Aguliar: Defendant Jose Lopez-Aguliar was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute over a half a kilogram of cocaine (an amount roughly the size of a brick) with a street value of about $50,000. The defendant now faces up to 20 months in prison. DPA Christina Miyamasu handled the prosecution of this case. Return to the News State v. Rodriguez: Defendant Teodulo Rodriguez was convicted of Felony Stalking and Felony Violation of a No-Contact Order for tracking down his ex-girlfriend, who was living in a confidential housing complex, and attacking and threatening to kill her. His attack occurred within just a few months of his conviction of Unlawful Imprisonment against the same victim. The defendant now faces up to 17 months in prison. DPA Kristen de Turenne handled the prosecution of this case. Return to the News State v. Sardarpour: Defendant Roya Sardarpour was convicted of Identity Theft in the First Degree and Theft in the First Degree for the financial exploitation of an elderly woman for whom he had been hired to be a caregiver. The defendant used the victim's money and credit cards to finance his own extravagant lifestyle and also stole family jewelry from the victim when she was in the hospital. The defendant was sentenced to 18 months in prison, a long sentence for this type of crime, because the jury found that there were aggravating circumstances surrounding the crime. This was a difficult case to prosecute, in part, because the victim passed away prior to the defendant's trial. Senior DPA Page Ulrey and DPA Amanda Froh handled the prosecution of this case. Return to the News | 