# Taxi driver saves girl from sex traffickers. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 1, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089 "2017-01-01T20:36:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/1 "2017-01-01T20:36:14Z")
Ending 2016 on a good note, well done [that man](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/uber-driver-saves-16-year-old-girl-sex-trafficking-n701241)! > [@](#): > > For Uber driver Keith Avila, Monday’s shift in Sacramento, California started out like any other — but ended with him helping save a 16-year-old girl from child sex trafficking. > > Avila said he picked up two women and the teen and drove them to a Holiday Inn in nearby Elk Grove, California. While in the car, the women openly talked about delivering the girl to a “John” and getting money from him. > > Once Avila dropped them off at the hotel, he called the police. Well done indeed. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/2 "2017-01-01T20:46:45Z")
How did the driver know she was 16? In many states (and nearly all countries), she would have been of age of consent, but not California. When the police responded, was there an arrest? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/3 "2017-01-01T20:51:12Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > How did the driver know she was 16? In many states (and nearly all countries), she would have been of age of consent, but not California. > > When the police responded, was there an arrest? I think anyone hearing of a girl bring delivered to a “John” for money should play it safe and let the cops verify age of consent and the legality of the situation. If there ever was a case that warranted a bit of suspicion, this is one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/4 "2017-01-01T20:52:18Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > How did the driver know she was 16? In many states (and nearly all countries), she would have been of age of consent, but not California. What is the age of consent for prostitution? ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/5 "2017-01-01T21:09:23Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > How did the driver know she was 16? In many states (and nearly all countries), she would have been of age of consent, but not California. > > When the police responded, was there an arrest? In the story I saw, the driver thought she was 12. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/6 "2017-01-01T21:28:43Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > What is the age of consent for prostitution? And even in lower-AoC jurisdictions, involving people under 18 in illegal activity is a more severe offense. Plus in any case, this is one of those “see something, say something” scenarios where if something looks suspicious it’s better to have it looked at. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/7 "2017-01-01T21:34:37Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > How did the driver know she was 16? In many states (and nearly all countries), she would have been of age of consent, but not California. > > When the police responded, was there an arrest? Oh yes, three people were arrested. Because the driver clearly heard them sending the girl out as a prostitute. It’s been a major story around here. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/8 "2017-01-03T12:47:42Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > How did the driver know she was 16? In many states (and nearly all countries), she would have been of age of consent, but not California. Unless they were in Nevada, age of consent is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/9 "2017-01-03T15:13:45Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Oh yes, three people were arrested. > > Because the driver clearly heard them sending the girl out as a prostitute. It’s been a major story around here. So all three were arrested irrespective of age, and they were charged with a crime for which age is not a factor. And the taxi driver’s testimony is not that they committed a crime, but talked about one. Did an indictable act of prostitution ever take place? Unless the older women were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, there is no story here. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/10 "2017-01-03T15:42:51Z")
So if you heard two people discussing burning down someone’s house and they had gasoline and matches with them, and were heading to the address you’d think there was no cause to call the police and the police had no cause to do anything? Discussing a crime and taking overt steps to execute the crime are two different things. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/11 "2017-01-03T16:01:01Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > So all three were arrested irrespective of age, and they were charged with a crime for which age is not a factor. And the taxi driver’s testimony is not that they committed a crime, but talked about one. Did an indictable act of prostitution ever take place? Getting arrested is pretty easy - people get arrested and then _let go without charges_ all the time. If you’re present as a bystander to, say, a barfight you might well get arrested just for being there. Then let go later. Ditto for, say, being on the street when some group decides to hold a protest. I know some people equate being arrested with being convicted but they are not at all the same thing. The key here is that apparently sufficient evidence was found to _press charges_ - presumably after the arrest the police did a little digging and found actual evidence of wrong-doing. Hence the charges. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/12 "2017-01-03T16:10:32Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > So all three were arrested irrespective of age, and they were charged with a crime for which age is not a factor. And the taxi driver’s testimony is not that they committed a crime, but talked about one. Did an indictable act of prostitution ever take place? > > Unless the older women were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, there is no story here. Do you really want to do battle defending this hill? Geez, some people will argue about anything. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/13 "2017-01-03T17:01:38Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Unless they were in Nevada, age of consent is irrelevant. And possibly even then. Does Nevada legalization actually allow for delivering prostitutes to “johns”? I thought they were restricted to heavily regulated brothels. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/14 "2017-01-03T17:41:16Z")
Dude aint no DeNiro. Just sayin. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/15 "2017-01-03T17:57:24Z")
> [@Driver8](#): > > And possibly even then. Does Nevada legalization actually allow for delivering prostitutes to “johns”? I thought they were restricted to heavily regulated brothels. Also, I believe it’s only in one county ? ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/16 "2017-01-03T18:06:02Z")
In his Facebook live feed, he refers to the girl as being 12. I guess she looked young. Jtur88, I am guessing you wouldn’t have called the police? Live and let live? ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/17 "2017-01-03T19:13:33Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Do you really want to do battle defending this hill? Geez, some people will argue about anything. **jtur** has some _odd_ beliefs about the police & incarceration. He has said before that he does not think anyone should be arrested for anything, and that if he is ever on a jury he will vote to acquit, no matter the crime, simply because no one should be incarcerated. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/18 "2017-01-03T19:30:52Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > **jtur** has some _odd_ beliefs about the police & incarceration. He has said before that he does not think anyone should be arrested for anything, and that if he is ever on a jury he will vote to acquit, no matter the crime, simply because no one should be incarcerated. Good to know! ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/19 "2017-01-03T20:23:44Z")
> [@Driver8](#): > > And possibly even then. Does Nevada legalization actually allow for delivering prostitutes to “johns”? I thought they were restricted to heavily regulated brothels. Yes, this is so. Outcall and stretwalking are not allowed. Plus it is county-by county with the counties that include Reno and Vegas excluded altogether. (In Reno and Vegas it is “illegal” but sometimes winked at as in most big cities.) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089/20 "2017-01-03T21:07:29Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > **jtur** has some _odd_ beliefs about the police & incarceration. Not to mention food, health, and doctors. Pretty much everything contrary to Dopers’ conventional wisdom, really. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxi-driver-saves-girl-from-sex-traffickers/776089.md?page=2)