By Federal Bureau of Investigation-Sacramento Division
According to court documents, on May 5, 2011, Tamrell and Latrelle Hornbuckle met with one of the victims and talked about the fact that the Hornbuckles and the girls and women who worked for them as prostitutes were being investigated by the FBI. In response to the victim’s questions about what she should say if questioned by the FBI, Latrelle Hornbuckle told the victim to lie and say that she is friends with the defendant but does not know the rest of the Hornbuckle family. This statement was false. Latrelle Hornbuckle also told the victim that if she were called to testify, she should say nothing. Tamrell and Latrelle Hornbuckle discussed various facts in the case and possible deceptive and false answers the victim could give to the FBI if asked about those facts.
In sentencing, Judge England said that his sentences balanced the defendants’ personal histories and characteristics with the need to punish the defendants for their conduct and to deter others who might engage in similar crimes. Judge England stated that the Hornbuckle family formed a “complex organization that preyed upon…extremely young [girls]” and enforced their compliance as prostitutes through “coercion and physical” violence.