Defendant Convicted of Human Trafficking-Related Charges

DATE: October 29, 2026

CASE: James Wilkerson (Case #26FE016891)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Maroun, Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution Unit

On October 27, 2026, James Wilkerson was convicted by a jury of attempt to traffic an underage victim and pimping and pandering.

James Wilkerson was arrested as a result of a joint Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force operation. On July 25, 2026, Wilkerson contacted a Task Force undercover agent posing as a minor and asked her to be a sex worker for him and to pay him to be her pimp. He also stated he had another female working as a sex worker for his benefit. The Task Force was able to quickly determine the identity of that female and setup an operation to arrest Wilkerson and recover the victim he was exploiting.

An allegation that Wilkerson has a prior strike conviction for assault with a firearm will be determined at the sentencing hearing.

Wilkerson faces a maximum sentence of 26 years and 8 months in prison. Sentencing is set for January 22, 2027, at 9 AM in Department 11A before the Honorable Carlton Davis.

The Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force is a partnership between the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, California Department of Justice, Sacramento Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation Sacramento Field Office and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).