Berkeley man gets life sentence for prostituting teen
BURLINGAME — Matthew Graves, the first person ever to be convicted of human trafficking by a San Mateo County jury, was sentenced Friday to 34 years to life in prison, prosecutors said.
In February, Graves, 29, of Berkeley, was found guilty of four felonies: pimping of a minor, pandering of a minor, human trafficking of a minor for sex acts, and witness dissuasion.
Today, predators can reach vulnerable children through phones, social media, gaming platforms, and the internet, often before families realize something is wrong. Finding Kids responds through three core programs: Recover. Care. Target. We help locate missing and exploited children, support families during and after recovery, and work with law enforcement to identify and disrupt those who exploit youth. Our work continues after a child is found because recovery is only the beginning. By combining investigations, aftercare, and prevention, we help children return safely to their homes, schools, and communities while building a future where every vulnerable child receives help before crisis becomes exploitation. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly towards keeping kids safe. We cannot do this work without your support.
*Names has been changed to protect the victim’s identity.