Office of the District Attorney - Maggie Fleming, District Attorney
NEWS RELEASE
February 19, 2021
Earlier today 49-year-old David B. Anderson II pled guilty to committing four felonies in November 2018: attempted pandering (Penal Code (P.C.) sections 664/266i(a)); false imprisonment by use of violence (P.C. 236), and two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor (P.C. section 261.5(c)). Anderson also admitted violating his Post Release Community Supervision (P.R.C.S.) terms linked to prior criminal convictions and waived his right to appeal. On March 18 at 8:30 am, Judge Wilson is scheduled to sentence Anderson to 5 years in prison, the aggravated term for his crimes, and up to 6 additional months for his violation of P.R.C.S. terms.
On November 7, 2018, Anderson drove 16-year-old Jane Doe to his C Street apartment in Eureka. Once inside his apartment, Anderson made comments to Doe regarding her age and how he could make a lot of money. Doe asked him to clarify what he meant and he told her “You know, pimp you out.” Despite her protests, Anderson removed Doe’s clothing, took her phone and forcibly refused to let Doe leave. He then sexually assaulted her. Eventually Doe was able to flee. Within hours following the assault, Doe called 911 and reported the crimes. Officer Timothy Marsolan of the Eureka Police Department responded and spoke with Doe and her family members. A North Coast Rape Crisis Advocate was able to assist Doe during the subsequent investigation, which included a Sexual Assault Response Team examination of Doe at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Further investigation led by EPD Senior Detective Amber Cosetti involved multiple search warrants, an interview of Doe by Kimberly Schneider, Child Forensic Interviewer of the Child Abuse Services Team, and DNA analysis.
In December 2018, in light of EPD’s extensive investigation, Anderson was arrested and arraigned on the complaint alleging multiple sex offenses and a child sex trafficking charge (P.C. 236.1(c)(2)) that the D.A. considered well-supported by admissible evidence. Following the preliminary hearing in June 2020 and more recently in response to a motion by the defendant, the judge dismissed the child sex trafficking charge.
The best interests of Jane Doe, particularly her emotional and physical well-being, received the consideration they deserved in the D.A.’s approach to this case. D.A. Maggie Fleming commends Doe for her strength and bravery in reporting the crimes she endured and for working with the prosecution team, Senior D.A. Investigator Kyla Baxley, Victim Witness advocate Caitlyn LaHaie and Assistant D.A. Stacey Eads, throughout the lengthy and often arduous court process.