LAKE COUNTY >> A Lakeport couple facing criminal charges for alleged human trafficking of one victim, has recently been charged with additional counts involving three more victims.
Sam Lindsey Massette, 37, and his wife Krystina Marie Pickersgill, 27, appeared in court Wednesday morning for a preliminary hearing on charges of human trafficking, pimping, pandering, and conspiracy concerning one victim, the Lake County District Attorney’s Office said.
“Prior to the commencement of the hearing the Lake County District Attorney’s Office served the defendants with an Amended Complaint alleging three other victims,” District Attorney Don Anderson said in a statement.
The complaint refers to the alleged trafficking by Massette of the second victim, a minor, for purposes of prostitution dating back to 2006, when the individual was only 17 years old.
Anderson said if convicted, Massette, who has a degree in psychology and has worked as a counselor, could face a state prison sentence of 15 years to life.
Both Massette and Pickersgill have been charged with trafficking, pimping and pandering two other women.
The couple was arrested in their Lakeport residence earlier in June, following an investigation into what the DA’s Office called a “high-class” human trafficking ring. Each, held at the Lake County Jail, have bails set at $1 million.
The investigation stems from when a female approached Anderson, during a play about human trafficking performed at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport, about being a victim of the crime.
Anderson said, “…several women have come forward identifying themselves as victims of human trafficking for prostitution. The District Attorney’s Office is aware of other victims in this case and additional charges may be filed.”
Both Massette and Pickersgill are scheduled for arraignment on the Amended Complaint on Tuesday, June 26.
“It is very troubling that some sophisticated criminals are coming into our neighborhoods and schools recruiting teenager into a life of prostitution, either to be a willing or unwilling victim,” said the DA, whose office is prosecuting four defendants for the same matter in this year alone.
“We know there are other victims out there currently working for other traffickers and that several other women and teenagers are being recruited for this purpose,” Anderson added. “We are asking anyone with information about human trafficking or soliciting teenagers for prostitution to please contact the District Attorney’s Office.”
