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Ex-Perris man found guilty of sex trafficking on LA's Figueroa Corridor
By Teaghan Brostrom at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 26, 2026
· 2 min read
Los Angeles jurors Friday found a former Riverside County man guilty of sex trafficking after he was accused of forcing a victim to engage in commercial sex acts along the Figueroa Corridor in South LA.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, convinced a victim they were involved in a romantic relationship a...
Key takeaway Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, convinced a victim they were involved in a romantic relationship and later turned physically violent, federal prosecutors argued during a five-day trial.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The guilty verdict against Elias Abdul Shabazz brings attention to the persistent issue of human trafficking in Los Angeles, particularly along the Figueroa Corridor. This 3.5-mile stretch has long been notorious for such crimes, with victims often being forced into commercial sex acts. The fact that Shabazz was able to operate in this area, using violence and intimidation to control his victim, raises concerns about the effectiveness of local efforts to combat human trafficking. The case also highlights the importance of supporting victims who come forward to share their stories, as the victim in this case did by testifying against Shabazz. As the city continues to grapple with this issue, it will be important to watch how law enforcement and community organizations work together to prevent such crimes and support those affected by them. The corridor remains a focal point in these efforts.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Los Angeles jurors Friday found a former Riverside County man guilty of sex trafficking after he was accused of forcing a victim to engage in commercial sex acts along the Figueroa Corridor in South LA.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, convinced a victim they were involved in a romantic relationship a...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Teaghan Brostrom at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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