A Day in the Life of an Atlanta Pimp

A T L A N T A, Jan. 23 -- Fresh has it made. A self-described "young black entrepreneur," he says he has a team of workers who make $1,000 a day — and hand every dime over to him.

There's another word Fresh uses to describe his work: He is a pimp. He calls the young women who work for him his "family," and says he provides security and guidance in return for their hard-earned money.

"They sacrificed their minds, their hearts, their bodies for the nonsense that they go through every day for me," Fresh told Downtown's Don Dahler. "Therefore I give it my all, 110 percent. I give them protection, knowledge, guidance, wisdom, instructions, knowledge, understanding."

Downtown went to Atlanta last summer to report on what a juvenile court judge had called an "epidemic" of underage prostitution in the city. Federal prosecutors charged 15 people, accusing them of involvement in the coercion of young girls into prostitution. Thirteen of the defendants pleaded guilty to various charges, each receiving a sentence of at least five years in jail without parole. The remaining two defendants, Charles "Sir Charles" Pipkins and Andrew "Batman" Moore, went on trial Tuesday in federal court.

Fresh was not named in the federal case, and there is no indication that any of the women who work for him are under the age of 18. But Downtown decided to follow him for a weekend to get a glimpse into the seldom-seen world of modern-day pimping.

'A Pimp and Ho Town'

Fresh's real name is Kenneth Vaughn. He is 33 years old, and admits to doing at least six years in prison for drug dealing. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., but comes to Atlanta with his "girls" on working visits. "Man, I love Atlanta. You get plenty of respect," he told Downtown. "This is a pimp and ho town."

On the weekend Downtown followed him, Fresh had three women with him: two of his regulars, Blondie and Shyla, and a new worker, Rachel, whom he had picked up at a bus station in Nashville.

With a high turnover rate in the sex trade, recruiting is important, and pimps are always on the lookout for likely candidates. Bus stations are a favorite place.