Ricci Wynne, San Francisco Activist, Arrested on Suspicion of Pimping and Pandering

Ricci Wynne, a controversial figure known for his outspoken criticism of San Francisco and his social media posts targeting homeless people and drug users, was arrested and jailed on Monday morning on suspicion of pimping and pandering.

Wynne, who has gained a significant following online, including 105,000 followers on Instagram, has been a vocal critic of San Francisco’s handling of homelessness and drug issues. He is associated with the politics-focused group WE San Francisco, although the group’s spokesperson, Ben Kaplan, stated that Wynne’s involvement was minimal.

During the arrest, police found nearly $80,000 in cash in Wynne’s luxury apartment on the 28th floor of 399 Fremont St. in San Francisco. The apartment, a two-bedroom unit, has a monthly rent of around $5,500. Police also seized three cellphones belonging to Wynne, which contained evidence of sex work, including rates and texts from clients.

The evidence included rates of $500 to $600 an hour for in-calls and $700 for outcalls. Some of the sex work involved travel to locations such as Hawaii, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas. Despite the evidence, Wynne denied that the phones belonged to him or that he was involved in pimping.

Wynne has a history of legal troubles, including a 2019 arrest for drug and weapons charges after advertising a “cocaine buffet” on Snapchat. He was released from jail in December 2021 after serving two years and was sentenced to three years of probation, along with orders to complete vocational training, mental health treatment, and substance abuse testing and treatment.

Wynne has been a frequent guest on media outlets, including a recent appearance on Fox Business’ “Varney & Co.” in November 2023. His social media presence often features provocative videos, including one where he questioned a homeless man about a sore on his legs and whether it had maggots.