In a turn of events that has drawn renewed attention to San Francisco’s underworld and its unlikely connections to political circles, both Ricci Wynne — the outspoken social media figure known as “Raw Ricci” — and his younger brother, Gage Wynne, are now facing serious criminal charges.
Ricci Wynne, followed by nearly 100,000 people on Instagram under the handle RawRicci415, was arrested last November on pimping and pandering charges. Prosecutors allege he was operating paid sex services from his upscale SoMa apartment. Just four months later, his legal troubles deepened when federal prosecutors indicted him for the production of child pornography.
The irony of these allegations has not gone unnoticed. For years, Ricci positioned himself as an “anti-crime crusader,” frequently appearing on Fox News to criticize San Francisco’s crime rates, while also cultivating relationships with elected officials who publicly champion law-and-order policies.
Following Ricci’s arrest in November, his younger brother, Gage Wynne, stepped forward to defend him in the press. Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle at the time, Gage said:
“It’s clear as day… there’s nothing in this case involving any minor being sex trafficked.”
A day later, the SF Standard reported Gage’s confrontational exchange with a photographer and reporter. Gage told them:
“I’m definitely not going to say anything to you, because you guys clearly have it in for my brother. You heard what the judge said? This case has nothing to do with anyone underage. You guys need to do better.”
But now, months later, Gage Wynne is the one making headlines. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office confirmed his arrest on charges of human trafficking, pimping, and pandering.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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Gage Wynne charged with human trafficking, pimping, and pandering in San Francisco.
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Ricci Wynne arrested last year for pimping; later indicted for producing child pornography.
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DA statement: Gage linked to multiple Bay Area sex work advertisements.
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Earlier arrest: Detained in South San Francisco after police rescued trafficking victims.
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Bail status: Granted $500,000 bond but remains in custody; DA wanted him held.
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No confirmed link between the brothers’ cases.
According to District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco police identified “numerous sex work advertisements in San Francisco and across the Bay Area” allegedly controlled by Gage Wynne. The DA’s statement also revealed that before the local investigation began, Gage had been arrested by South San Francisco police during an operation to rescue human trafficking victims. Authorities allege that Gage was identified as the “boyfriend” of one victim and that he drove her to a hotel to engage in sex work.
“The District Attorney’s Office will move to have Mr. Wynne detained pending trial because of the public safety risk he poses,” the release stated.
Despite that request, San Francisco County Jail records show that Gage was granted $500,000 bail. As of Monday afternoon, he remained in custody, suggesting a judge may have allowed bond over the DA’s objections.
There is no immediate evidence that Ricci Wynne’s criminal charges are connected to Gage Wynne’s case. Prosecutors have not released timelines for the alleged crimes, leaving unanswered questions about whether any incidents overlap.
The Wynne brothers’ legal troubles also raise questions about Ricci’s past proximity to City Hall. A video from last year’s mayoral campaign shows Ricci alongside candidate Daniel Lurie, who is heard saying:
“Thank you, Ricci, thank you.”
In that same clip, Ricci claims that Lurie is “the only politician that has came and walked the Tenderloin with me.” Lurie does not contradict the statement. While such interactions may have been routine for candidates seeking voter engagement, they now appear more complicated in hindsight.
Today, City Hall figures are keeping their distance from the Wynne brothers, and the episode serves as a cautionary example of the risks in aligning with high-profile social media personalities whose public image may not match the reality behind the scenes.
The arrests of both Ricci and Gage Wynne mark a sharp fall from the public personas they once projected — one as a self-styled anti-crime voice and the other as his vocal defender. With both now facing serious felony charges, their cases underscore how quickly reputations can unravel under the weight of criminal allegations. As legal proceedings move forward, unanswered questions about the scope of their activities, potential overlaps in their cases, and their past proximity to political circles will likely remain in the public spotlight, serving as a stark reminder of the gap that can exist between public image and private conduct.
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