Photo: Taiwan Reed
RIVERSIDE – Pimping, pandering, human trafficking, and rape gave Taiwan Reed a sentence of 51
Years-to-Life in state prison. A jury of his peers decided that they had enough evidence to convict Reed
(36) of Riverside after Riverside Police Department Vice Unit Detectives conducted an investigation
involving a woman who had been sexually exploited.
Deputy District Attorney Gary Polk of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office described the
horrors of sexual exploitation heaped on this victim by two individuals since March of 2018. “The People
vs. Taiwan Reed is a case involving human trafficking and rape,” said Deputy DA Polk.
“Two women working for Reed introduced her to him in March. He offered her a place to live and a way
to make money,” said Polk.
“Instead of doing the job that she’d signed up for, the defendant took her to L.A., every day for the next 2
weeks, and forced her to commit acts of prostitution. He’d bring her back to the house and commit acts
of rape against her.”
As a powerplay, Polk described triangulation used: “He’d use violence and intimidation. He’d beat up the
other women in front of her and tell her that she’s lucky that this hasn’t happened to her – yet.”
In May, the young woman came forward, and told the Riverside Police Vice Unit Detectives, who
generated a press release. Riverside PD’s investigation sought the two suspects who exploited her, then
generated and served a search warrant along with the METRO (SWAT) Team at the residence on the 4600 block of Olivewood Ave. on 05/18/2018.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two subjects, Reed and Rickiya Fulcher (24) of Riverside, and
produced evidence related to the alleged crimes. The duo were booked into the Robert Presley
Detention Center for human trafficking related charges.
Fulcher pled guilty prior to the trial for 18 months of jail time which included mandatory supervision and
required her to complete diversion courses related to the charges.
When a 2nd victim came forward regarding rape and being put out on the streets of San Diego, Long
Beach, Riverside in 2009 – she also revealed that she had to give Reed all the money she made and was
forced to have sex with him. “If she didn’t comply with acts of prostitution or having sex with him – he’d
beat her up physically,” said Polk.
A Riverside County jury convicted Reed in 08/2020 of human trafficking and rape of two victims. His
other victims were enlisted to find new victims for him, who had their belongings and ID taken – and were
threatened if they attempted to leave.
Sentencing in late 09/2020 resulted in 51 years to life in state prison.
Riverside PD announced: “The case and its culmination were a result of a thorough and tenacious
investigation by Vice Unit Detectives, followed by a remarkable prosecution by the Riverside County
District Attorney’s Office. But more importantly, it would not have been possible without the strength and
courage from the victims of this human trafficking.”
This is an ongoing case. Authorities have reason to believe that additional victims are out there. You are
encouraged to view the following video https://youtu.be/sG8badY4Csc to observe and learn about Reed,
and more – in hopes that Reed’s conviction and lengthy prison sentence will empower victims to step
forward.
“The case and its culmination were a result of a thorough and tenacious investigation by Vice Unit
Detectives, followed by a remarkable prosecution by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office,” said
Riverside PD. “But more importantly, it would not have been possible without the strength and courage
from the victims of this human trafficking.”
If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the Riverside County
Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force 24-hour toll free hotline at (855) 758-3733, or the National Human
Trafficking Resource Center at (888) 373-7888.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is urged to contact Detective Josh Sturdavant at
(951) 353-7204 or RPDVice@riversideca.gov.
