Cedric Demarcus Kelly, 37, of Richmond, is the first person in Contra Costa County convicted of a felony under a California law targeting individuals who buy sex from minors. Kelly pleaded guilty on April 22 to one count of engaging or agreeing to engage in prostitution with a minor.
The conviction follows an amendment to Penal Code 647(b) that took effect on Jan. 1. This statute allows for felony charges when a buyer is at least three years older than a minor or when the minor is a victim of trafficking. In this case, Kelly was 21 years older than the 16-year-old victim.
The investigation began on Feb. 21, when Richmond Police responded to a 911 call from the minor. She requested assistance following a conflict with her trafficker and reported having sex with Kelly for money. The Richmond Police Department and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed the case on Feb. 25.
Judge Michael Nieto sentenced Kelly to 180 days in county jail and two years of formal probation. The sentencing conditions include a nighttime stay-away order from the 23rd Street corridor in Richmond and a search and seizure condition for evidence of solicitation. Kelly must also complete an educational course regarding human trafficking and the exploitation of minors.
“Contra Costa County’s first felony conviction under the amended Penal Code 647(b) statute marks a turning point in how we prosecute those who buy sex from minors,” District Attorney Diana Becton said. “This law recognizes that buyers are not bystanders — they are participants in the exploitation of minors. We are grateful to the Richmond Police Department and the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force for their swift response and thorough work on this case.”
