Trio of 'pimps' busted in multimillion-dollar Compton prostitution ring

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- A trio of "pimps" who controlled a multimillion-dollar prostitution ring in Compton were arrested, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced.

An eight-month investigation due to the increase in street prostitution along Long Beach Boulevard led detectives to arrest Robert Walker, 31, Daniel Gunther, 34, and David Sheffey, 34, who proclaimed themselves the "Compton Division."

Detectives say the three men were heavily pimping, pandering and human trafficking victims not only in Compton, but across San Diego, Las Vegas and other Western states.

Sheffey, a resident of Inglewood, was arrested and booked at the sheriff's Pico Station on Saturday and is being held in lieu of $3 million bail.

Walker, a resident of Compton, was arrested and booked by the Long Beach Police Department on July 11, 2013. He had a preliminary hearing on March 26, 2014, and was charged with four counts of human trafficking of a minor for a sex act; one count of dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime; and one count of lewd act upon a child. Immediately after the March 26 hearing, Walker was remanded on $4.2 million bail.

Gunther, also a resident of Compton, was arrested by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on Feb. 13 for a $1.3 million warrant issued by the sheriff's department. He has since been extradited.

All three men face multiple counts of pimping, pandering and human trafficking.

Members of the public with information on Gunther and Sheffey are asked to contact the L.A. County Sheriff's Department at (323) 267-4800. Those with information on Walker are asked to contact Long Beach Police Department Detective Satwan Johnson at (562) 570-5000.