BATON ROUGE, LA—Acting United States Attorney Walt Green announced today that U.S. District Judge James Brady sentenced Erick Banks, age 32, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 108 months’ imprisonment for conspiring to traffic a child in the commercial sex trade. Banks was also sentenced to five years’ supervised release after imprisonment and ordered to pay the victim $1,200 in restitution.
During his guilty plea hearing last year, Banks admitted that in January 2011, he enticed the victim, a 15-year-old girl, to engage in acts of prostitution. Several days earlier, the victim ran away from a Baton Rouge home for teenage girls. Banks placed several ads on an online service often utilized by those in the commercial sex trade. Banks used the moniker “Sinsational” or “Blonde Bunny” to describe the victim in the ads. Banks instructed the victim how to engage in telephone conversations with potential customers and how to determine if a customer was a law enforcement officer.
On January 27, 2011, in five separate transactions, the victim engaged in sexual activity in exchange for money. Each of these transactions was coordinated by Banks and occurred in a hotel in Baton Rouge. The victim was paid approximately $1,200, all of which Banks took from her.
Acting United States Attorney Walt Green stated, “We will not tolerate the sexual exploitation and trafficking of vulnerable, young teenagers, and hope this significant sentence serves notice to others inclined to engage in such despicable conduct. We appreciate the strong work of the FBI and the Baton Rouge Police Department and commend the Middle District Human Trafficking Task Force for its efforts in educating law enforcement and the public in general about this issue. We are also inspired by the courage of the victim in this case and hope it inspires other victims of sex trafficking to come forward.”
This investigation was conducted by the FBI and Baton Rouge Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Frederick A. Menner, Jr. and Susan C. Amundson.
Showing posts with label juvenile sex trafficking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label juvenile sex trafficking. Show all posts
Friday, January 24, 2014
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Arthur Gerald Reid Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking of Children
Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Arthur Gerald Reid, 27, of Macon, Georgia, pled guilty to sex trafficking of children on Monday, December 23, 2013. The defendant’s guilty plea was entered before the Honorable Hugh Lawson, United States District Court Judge, in Macon, Georgia.
In his plea agreement, the defendant admitted that beginning in September 2011 and continuing until February 2013, he prostituted a juvenile victim from various motel rooms in Macon, Georgia, and in Tybee Island, Georgia, through the utilization of backpage.com, an erotic services website. Mr. Reid was physically violent toward this juvenile victim. The defendant was encountered by law enforcement on February 26, 2013, at a Macon, Georgia, motel. In his custody and control was the juvenile victim connected to Mr. Reid's guilty plea, as well as two additional juvenile victims. Mr. Reid admitted to prostituting these juveniles through the utilization of backpage.com. Hidden within the motel room was a BB gun, which the juveniles believed to be an authentic firearm.
At sentencing, Mr. Reid will be subject to a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, or both and a term of supervised release of five years up to lifetime supervision. Mr. Reid will also be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to potential additional prosecution should he fail to register as required by Title 18, United States Code, Section 2250.
“The defendant seized upon the opportunity to exploit these vulnerable victims. All children deserve to be safe from predators like the defendant, and it is the duty of the law to protect them. These three victims are not alone, and my office will continue to vigilantly prosecute any and all who seek to gain from the abuse of children,” said United States Attorney Michael J. Moore.
In his plea agreement, the defendant admitted that beginning in September 2011 and continuing until February 2013, he prostituted a juvenile victim from various motel rooms in Macon, Georgia, and in Tybee Island, Georgia, through the utilization of backpage.com, an erotic services website. Mr. Reid was physically violent toward this juvenile victim. The defendant was encountered by law enforcement on February 26, 2013, at a Macon, Georgia, motel. In his custody and control was the juvenile victim connected to Mr. Reid's guilty plea, as well as two additional juvenile victims. Mr. Reid admitted to prostituting these juveniles through the utilization of backpage.com. Hidden within the motel room was a BB gun, which the juveniles believed to be an authentic firearm.
At sentencing, Mr. Reid will be subject to a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, or both and a term of supervised release of five years up to lifetime supervision. Mr. Reid will also be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to potential additional prosecution should he fail to register as required by Title 18, United States Code, Section 2250.
“The defendant seized upon the opportunity to exploit these vulnerable victims. All children deserve to be safe from predators like the defendant, and it is the duty of the law to protect them. These three victims are not alone, and my office will continue to vigilantly prosecute any and all who seek to gain from the abuse of children,” said United States Attorney Michael J. Moore.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Buffalo Pair Indicted for Sex Trafficking
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo has returned a nine-count indictment charging Kenneth White, 37, of Buffalo, New York, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and sex trafficking of a minor, and interstate transportation for commercial sex. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. In addition, Caitlin Connelly, 29, also of Buffalo, was charged with conspiring with White to engage in sex trafficking.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Rogowski, who is handling the case, stated that the according to the indictment, between 2004 and December, 2012, White and Connelly conspired to cause five victims to engage in commercial sex acts, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that means of force, threats of force, fraud and coercion and a combination of such means would be used to cause the five victims to engage in those commercial sex acts. White also was charged with sex trafficking of a minor victim. In addition, White was charged transporting some of the victims out of New York State to engage in commercial sex acts.
Kenneth White was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder. He is being held pending a detention hearing on November 26 at 3:15 p.m. Caitlyn Connelly will be arraigned on November 26 at 2:00 p.m.
The indictment is the result of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Office, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Weirauch.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Rogowski, who is handling the case, stated that the according to the indictment, between 2004 and December, 2012, White and Connelly conspired to cause five victims to engage in commercial sex acts, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that means of force, threats of force, fraud and coercion and a combination of such means would be used to cause the five victims to engage in those commercial sex acts. White also was charged with sex trafficking of a minor victim. In addition, White was charged transporting some of the victims out of New York State to engage in commercial sex acts.
Kenneth White was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder. He is being held pending a detention hearing on November 26 at 3:15 p.m. Caitlyn Connelly will be arraigned on November 26 at 2:00 p.m.
The indictment is the result of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Office, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Weirauch.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Task Force Investigation Leads to Arrest of Inland Empire Couple for Sex Trafficking of a Minor
RIVERSIDE, CA—Following an investigation by joint Inland Empire task forces, two Inland Empire residents have been arrested on charges of sex trafficking of a minor and are expected to be in Riverside federal court this afternoon for their initial appearances.
Nekeyia Weatherspoon, 22, of Perris, and Kawaum Scott, 24, of Quail Valley, were both arrested yesterday afternoon after they were named in a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court. That complaint was unsealed earlier today. The investigation, which was initiated by officers with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, was conducted jointly with the FBI and with the support of multiple agencies working jointly under the auspices of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) and the Inland Child Exploitation Task Force (ICEP).
According to the complaint, a 14-year-old victim, identified in court papers only as CV, was forced into prostitution by Scott and Weatherspoon, who were neighbors and who allegedly took all the money she received for the sex acts performed while she was being forced to work as a prostitute. The affidavit in support of the complaint further alleges the defendants took photographs of CV and used them to advertise sexual services on the Internet. The defendants allegedly drove the victim to various destinations to engage in prostitution, made her use an alias, and advised her to tell male customers that she was 18 years old.
On one occasion in October 2012, the defendants allegedly brought the victim to a motel in Riverside County, where she engaged in sex with multiple men over a two-day period and received approximately $2,500 in payment, all of which the victim gave to the defendants, according to the complaint.
If convicted of the charge in the complaint, the defendants each would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life.
The defendants will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in Riverside. The member agencies whose officers and agents participate on the Inland Empire Child Exploitation and Prostitution Task Force (ICEP) include: the Ontario Police Department; the Pomona Police Department; the Riverside Police Department; the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the San Bernardino Police Department; and the FBI. The task force investigates matters of child exploitation, primarily the sexual trafficking of minors.
Multiple agencies participate on the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT), including the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the United States Attorney’s Office; the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office; the FBI; and other agencies, including various non-governmental organizations.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
Media Contact:
Nekeyia Weatherspoon, 22, of Perris, and Kawaum Scott, 24, of Quail Valley, were both arrested yesterday afternoon after they were named in a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court. That complaint was unsealed earlier today. The investigation, which was initiated by officers with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, was conducted jointly with the FBI and with the support of multiple agencies working jointly under the auspices of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) and the Inland Child Exploitation Task Force (ICEP).
According to the complaint, a 14-year-old victim, identified in court papers only as CV, was forced into prostitution by Scott and Weatherspoon, who were neighbors and who allegedly took all the money she received for the sex acts performed while she was being forced to work as a prostitute. The affidavit in support of the complaint further alleges the defendants took photographs of CV and used them to advertise sexual services on the Internet. The defendants allegedly drove the victim to various destinations to engage in prostitution, made her use an alias, and advised her to tell male customers that she was 18 years old.
On one occasion in October 2012, the defendants allegedly brought the victim to a motel in Riverside County, where she engaged in sex with multiple men over a two-day period and received approximately $2,500 in payment, all of which the victim gave to the defendants, according to the complaint.
If convicted of the charge in the complaint, the defendants each would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of life.
The defendants will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in Riverside. The member agencies whose officers and agents participate on the Inland Empire Child Exploitation and Prostitution Task Force (ICEP) include: the Ontario Police Department; the Pomona Police Department; the Riverside Police Department; the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the San Bernardino Police Department; and the FBI. The task force investigates matters of child exploitation, primarily the sexual trafficking of minors.
Multiple agencies participate on the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT), including the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; the United States Attorney’s Office; the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office; the FBI; and other agencies, including various non-governmental organizations.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
Media Contact:
- FBI Press Relations: 310 996-3343
- Assistant United States Attorney, Thomas Stout: 951-276-6938
Monday, October 21, 2013
Philadelphia Man Charged in Sex Trafficking Conspiracy
Adrian Palmer, 43, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is charged by indictment, unsealed today, with conspiring in the sex trafficking of girls under the age of 18. Palmer is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of sex trafficking of minors, and one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Palmer was arrested last night.
According to the indictment, between June 1, 2012 and June 14, 2012, Palmer, who worked as a security guard at a Days Inn motel on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, provided protection and assistance to sex traffickers operating at the motel in exchange for a daily fee. Craig Johnson, indicted elsewhere, who was the operator of the sex trafficking venture, recruited young females to work as prostitutes. Johnson paid Palmer between $60 and $100 a day in exchange for advice about Johnson’s sex trafficking organization, including Johnson’s Backpage.com advertisements. Palmer also allegedly provided Johnson with clients for the sex trafficking business and provided protection for Johnson so that law enforcement authorities would not be alerted to the sex trafficking operation. It is further alleged that in August 2013, Palmer accepted $100 from a confidential witness in exchange for protecting him from law enforcement so he could engage in the sex trafficking of a (fictitious) 16-year-old minor.
If convicted of all charges, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison with a maximum of 30 years, a fine of up to $750,000, up to a lifetime period of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan.
An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
According to the indictment, between June 1, 2012 and June 14, 2012, Palmer, who worked as a security guard at a Days Inn motel on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, provided protection and assistance to sex traffickers operating at the motel in exchange for a daily fee. Craig Johnson, indicted elsewhere, who was the operator of the sex trafficking venture, recruited young females to work as prostitutes. Johnson paid Palmer between $60 and $100 a day in exchange for advice about Johnson’s sex trafficking organization, including Johnson’s Backpage.com advertisements. Palmer also allegedly provided Johnson with clients for the sex trafficking business and provided protection for Johnson so that law enforcement authorities would not be alerted to the sex trafficking operation. It is further alleged that in August 2013, Palmer accepted $100 from a confidential witness in exchange for protecting him from law enforcement so he could engage in the sex trafficking of a (fictitious) 16-year-old minor.
If convicted of all charges, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison with a maximum of 30 years, a fine of up to $750,000, up to a lifetime period of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan.
An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Fairfax Woman Convicted of Sex Trafficking a 15-Year-Old Girl
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Stephanie Chapman, 28, of Fairfax, Virginia, was convicted today by a federal jury on charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child, sex trafficking of a child, and interstate transportation of a minor for the purposes of prostitution.
Dana J. Boente, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler, Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Liam O’Grady.
Chapman faces a maximum penalty of life in prison with a mandatory minimum term of 10 years of imprisonment when she is sentenced on January 24, 2014.
Chapman was indicted on July 11, 2013, by a federal grand jury. According to court records and evidence adduced at trial, between February 27, 2013 and March 12, 2013, Chapman and her boyfriend, Ronnie Holmes, met a 15-year-old girl and recruited her to be a prostitute for them. During that time, Chapman and Holmes took sexually suggestive photographs of the girl; sent the photographs to potential customers; posted the photographs on Backpage.com; drove the girl to meet with customers at locations in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia; and took half of the money paid to the girl after she engaged in sex with customers for money.
Chapman’s co-defendant, Ronnie Holmes, previously pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fairfax County Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Stacey Luck and Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Frank are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.
Dana J. Boente, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler, Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Liam O’Grady.
Chapman faces a maximum penalty of life in prison with a mandatory minimum term of 10 years of imprisonment when she is sentenced on January 24, 2014.
Chapman was indicted on July 11, 2013, by a federal grand jury. According to court records and evidence adduced at trial, between February 27, 2013 and March 12, 2013, Chapman and her boyfriend, Ronnie Holmes, met a 15-year-old girl and recruited her to be a prostitute for them. During that time, Chapman and Holmes took sexually suggestive photographs of the girl; sent the photographs to potential customers; posted the photographs on Backpage.com; drove the girl to meet with customers at locations in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia; and took half of the money paid to the girl after she engaged in sex with customers for money.
Chapman’s co-defendant, Ronnie Holmes, previously pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fairfax County Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Stacey Luck and Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Frank are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.
Former Hartford Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor
Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Kamar James, also known as “Sean Steppa,” “Sean Lawson,” and “Akamar Lawson,” 31, a citizen of Jamaica last residing in Hartford, was sentenced on October 9 by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for sex trafficking of a minor.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2011, James recruited a minor victim whom James knew to be under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution. On multiple occasions, James transported the minor victim from Connecticut to streets in New York City where the victim would meet men who would pay her for sexual encounters. James also posted pictures of the minor victim on the Internet to advertise the victim’s prostitution services. He then transported the victim to hotels in the New York City area when the victim engaged in pre-arranged prostitution encounters. The victim turned over all the proceeds from the prostitution encounters to James.
Judge Bryant ordered James to pay restitution of $12,750 to his victim.
James has been detained since his arrest on February 3, 2012. On June 27, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2011, James recruited a minor victim whom James knew to be under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution. On multiple occasions, James transported the minor victim from Connecticut to streets in New York City where the victim would meet men who would pay her for sexual encounters. James also posted pictures of the minor victim on the Internet to advertise the victim’s prostitution services. He then transported the victim to hotels in the New York City area when the victim engaged in pre-arranged prostitution encounters. The victim turned over all the proceeds from the prostitution encounters to James.
Judge Bryant ordered James to pay restitution of $12,750 to his victim.
James has been detained since his arrest on February 3, 2012. On June 27, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Milwaukee Man Charged with Transporting a Minor from Wisconsin to Illinois to Engage in Prostitution
CHICAGO—A Milwaukee man was arrested on a federal charge of sex trafficking a minor, and the alleged 15-year-old victim, from Madison, Wisconsin, was returned to her home, federal law enforcement authorities announced today. The defendant, Dajuan Key, also known as “Dejuan Key,” 30, was scheduled to return to federal court in Chicago at 2:30 p.m. today for a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Martin.
Key was taken into federal custody by FBI agents on Saturday and charged with sex trafficking a minor for allegedly transporting the 15-year-old girl from Madison to Chicago to engage in prostitution. He appeared before Magistrate Martin on Saturday and was ordered to remain in custody pending today’s hearing.
Transporting a minor across state lines to engage in prostitution carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
According to a criminal complaint affidavit, the victim was found last Tuesday by Romeoville Police officers at a fast food restaurant in the far southwest suburb after the girl’s mother reported that her daughter had called her crying and told her that she was at a motel in Romeoville and did not have a way home. Romeoville Police responded to the motel where they located Key with a woman identified as an adult victim and who then accompanied police to the nearby restaurant and identified the minor victim.
The minor victim told FBI agents that she met a man, whom she identified as Key, at an apartment complex in Madison on September 8. Key told the girl that he was going to take her to Milwaukee and would return her to Madison. Instead, Key allegedly drove the girl to Chicago, and they eventually arrived at a motel in Romeoville, where Key introduced the girl to a woman he told her was working for him as a prostitute. Key allegedly told the girl that if she worked for him, she would be able to keep all the money she made. The victim told Key that she wanted him to take her home, but Key got the victim a motel room and took photographs of her, which he then apparently posted in online advertisements because her cell phone began to receive calls from unidentified numbers.
The victim repeatedly told Key that she wanted to go home, but she had no way to do so on her own, was tired, and agreed to spend the night believing Key would take her home in the morning. On September 9 and 10, the victim engaged in commercial sex acts, believing that she would get to keep the money and use it for a bus ticket home. However, in each instance, Key demanded the money, and the victim gave it to him because she was afraid of what he might do if she did not comply.
The arrest and charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert J. Shields, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They commended the assistance and cooperation of the Romeoville Police Department.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. The task force is part of a nationwide effort known as the Innocence Lost National Initiative targeting those involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States. In Chicago, the CETF is composed of FBI special agents and officers and investigators from the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The case also falls under the umbrella of the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Sawyer.
A complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key was taken into federal custody by FBI agents on Saturday and charged with sex trafficking a minor for allegedly transporting the 15-year-old girl from Madison to Chicago to engage in prostitution. He appeared before Magistrate Martin on Saturday and was ordered to remain in custody pending today’s hearing.
Transporting a minor across state lines to engage in prostitution carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
According to a criminal complaint affidavit, the victim was found last Tuesday by Romeoville Police officers at a fast food restaurant in the far southwest suburb after the girl’s mother reported that her daughter had called her crying and told her that she was at a motel in Romeoville and did not have a way home. Romeoville Police responded to the motel where they located Key with a woman identified as an adult victim and who then accompanied police to the nearby restaurant and identified the minor victim.
The minor victim told FBI agents that she met a man, whom she identified as Key, at an apartment complex in Madison on September 8. Key told the girl that he was going to take her to Milwaukee and would return her to Madison. Instead, Key allegedly drove the girl to Chicago, and they eventually arrived at a motel in Romeoville, where Key introduced the girl to a woman he told her was working for him as a prostitute. Key allegedly told the girl that if she worked for him, she would be able to keep all the money she made. The victim told Key that she wanted him to take her home, but Key got the victim a motel room and took photographs of her, which he then apparently posted in online advertisements because her cell phone began to receive calls from unidentified numbers.
The victim repeatedly told Key that she wanted to go home, but she had no way to do so on her own, was tired, and agreed to spend the night believing Key would take her home in the morning. On September 9 and 10, the victim engaged in commercial sex acts, believing that she would get to keep the money and use it for a bus ticket home. However, in each instance, Key demanded the money, and the victim gave it to him because she was afraid of what he might do if she did not comply.
The arrest and charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert J. Shields, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They commended the assistance and cooperation of the Romeoville Police Department.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. The task force is part of a nationwide effort known as the Innocence Lost National Initiative targeting those involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States. In Chicago, the CETF is composed of FBI special agents and officers and investigators from the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The case also falls under the umbrella of the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Sawyer.
A complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Federal Jury Convicts Duluth Man of Sex Trafficking of a Child
MINNEAPOLIS—Late yesterday in federal court, a jury found a 33-year-old Duluth man guilty of the sex trafficking a child for approximately seven months last year. Following a four-day trial, the jury convicted Markeace Arque Canty on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child and one count of sex trafficking of a child. The jury acquitted Canty of one count of receipt of child pornography. Canty, also known as Quake, was indicted on May 7, 2013.
According to the indictment and the evidence presented at trial, from at least July 2012 through January 2013, Canty recruited and transported the female victim, who was under the age of 18 at the time, to engage in commercial sex acts, from which Canty benefitted financially. Canty purchased “escort” advertisements on the website backpage.com and transported the female victim to locations in Duluth, Minneapolis, Chicago, and elsewhere to meet advertisement responders at motels, where the victim engaged in sexual acts in exchange for money.
The jury heard evdience that on September 12, 2012, law enforcement in Indiana responded to an advertisement listing a phone number registered to Canty and arrested the female victim after she agreed to perform sex acts in exchange for money. The advertisement in that instance included a phone number registered to Canty.
Evidence was also presented about results of a search of Canty’s iPhone, which included texts that the prosecution argued coordinated times and amounts with respondents to the advertisements, as well as texts that the prosecution argued were between Canty and the victim in which she updated him on her illicit activities.
For his crimes, Canty faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on each of the sex trafficking counts, with a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years on the sex trafficking of a child count. United States District Judge Joan N. Ericksen will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Duluth Police Department, with cooperation from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office; the Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota Police Departments; the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office in North Dakota, the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Police Department, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and LeeAnn K. Bell.
Anyone who may have information about any human trafficking matter is encouraged to report that information to the FBI at 763-569-8000. For information about human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s toll-free hotline (1-888-373-7888) is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked within the U.S. alone each year.
For more information, visit http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/human_trafficking.
According to the indictment and the evidence presented at trial, from at least July 2012 through January 2013, Canty recruited and transported the female victim, who was under the age of 18 at the time, to engage in commercial sex acts, from which Canty benefitted financially. Canty purchased “escort” advertisements on the website backpage.com and transported the female victim to locations in Duluth, Minneapolis, Chicago, and elsewhere to meet advertisement responders at motels, where the victim engaged in sexual acts in exchange for money.
The jury heard evdience that on September 12, 2012, law enforcement in Indiana responded to an advertisement listing a phone number registered to Canty and arrested the female victim after she agreed to perform sex acts in exchange for money. The advertisement in that instance included a phone number registered to Canty.
Evidence was also presented about results of a search of Canty’s iPhone, which included texts that the prosecution argued coordinated times and amounts with respondents to the advertisements, as well as texts that the prosecution argued were between Canty and the victim in which she updated him on her illicit activities.
For his crimes, Canty faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on each of the sex trafficking counts, with a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years on the sex trafficking of a child count. United States District Judge Joan N. Ericksen will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Duluth Police Department, with cooperation from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office; the Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota Police Departments; the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office in North Dakota, the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Police Department, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and LeeAnn K. Bell.
Anyone who may have information about any human trafficking matter is encouraged to report that information to the FBI at 763-569-8000. For information about human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s toll-free hotline (1-888-373-7888) is available to answer calls from anywhere in the country. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked within the U.S. alone each year.
For more information, visit http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/human_trafficking.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Victoria Wallace Sentenced to 216 Months in Prison for Child Sex Trafficking
MEMPHIS, TN—Victoria Wallace, a/k/a “Prune the Goon,” 20, of Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced Friday to 216 months in federal prison for her role in a child sex trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III.
At the sentencing hearing, Senior U.S. District Judge Jon Phipps McCalla heard testimony that Wallace was a high-ranking member of the Piru Street gang who used force and threats of force to control her victims. One of her juvenile victims testified that she saw Wallace drag a woman by her hair while beating her. That juvenile also identified threatening text messages that Wallace sent her during the investigation of the case.
The juvenile explained that Wallace drove her and three other minors to New Orleans for the purpose of having them prostitute. Wallace also put minors to work in prostitution in Memphis, according to the juvenile. The juvenile testified that Wallace kept the money her victims made and threatened them if they refused to work.
Wallace pled guilty on January 2, 2013, to a child sex trafficking conspiracy charge. There is no possibility of parole in the federal system.
“Wallace’s sentence of 18 years in federal prison should send an unequivocal message: if you sexually exploit a child for profit, you will be held accountable,” said United States Attorney Stanton. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will remain relentless in doing whatever it takes to protect our most vulnerable citizens—our children—from those who engage in sex trafficking.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, working in conjunction with the Memphis Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Skrmetti and Trial Attorney Keith Becker from the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab “Resources.“
At the sentencing hearing, Senior U.S. District Judge Jon Phipps McCalla heard testimony that Wallace was a high-ranking member of the Piru Street gang who used force and threats of force to control her victims. One of her juvenile victims testified that she saw Wallace drag a woman by her hair while beating her. That juvenile also identified threatening text messages that Wallace sent her during the investigation of the case.
The juvenile explained that Wallace drove her and three other minors to New Orleans for the purpose of having them prostitute. Wallace also put minors to work in prostitution in Memphis, according to the juvenile. The juvenile testified that Wallace kept the money her victims made and threatened them if they refused to work.
Wallace pled guilty on January 2, 2013, to a child sex trafficking conspiracy charge. There is no possibility of parole in the federal system.
“Wallace’s sentence of 18 years in federal prison should send an unequivocal message: if you sexually exploit a child for profit, you will be held accountable,” said United States Attorney Stanton. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will remain relentless in doing whatever it takes to protect our most vulnerable citizens—our children—from those who engage in sex trafficking.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, working in conjunction with the Memphis Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Skrmetti and Trial Attorney Keith Becker from the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab “Resources.“
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Houston Man Charged with Sex Trafficking of a Minor
HOUSTON—Alexander Joseph Johnson, 24, of Houston, has been indicted on charges of sex trafficking of a 15-year-old female, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.
Johnson was arrested on August 6, 2013, based on a criminal complaint. On August 8, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson for a detention hearing. At that time, Judge Johnson found there was probable cause to believe he committed the crime of sex trafficking of a minor and that he was a danger to the community and a flight risk and ordered him into custody.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim was forced to perform sex acts with strangers for money and turn that money over to Johnson. Johnson allegedly posted advertisements online for commercial sex for the victim in Houston and Colorado. The victim was forced to earn $500 an evening, according to the complaint, and when she met her quota, Johnson would allegedly “reward” her by having sex with her. Allegations also include that Johnson provided the victim with marijuana and alcohol and only provided her food at his discretion.
If convicted, Johnson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a maximum fine of $250,000. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, he also faces a maximum lifetime term of supervised release and he will be required to register as a sex offender.
The Houston FBI Innocence Lost Task Force, which includes such agencies as the Houston Police Department, investigated.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "Resources."
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Johnson was arrested on August 6, 2013, based on a criminal complaint. On August 8, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson for a detention hearing. At that time, Judge Johnson found there was probable cause to believe he committed the crime of sex trafficking of a minor and that he was a danger to the community and a flight risk and ordered him into custody.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim was forced to perform sex acts with strangers for money and turn that money over to Johnson. Johnson allegedly posted advertisements online for commercial sex for the victim in Houston and Colorado. The victim was forced to earn $500 an evening, according to the complaint, and when she met her quota, Johnson would allegedly “reward” her by having sex with her. Allegations also include that Johnson provided the victim with marijuana and alcohol and only provided her food at his discretion.
If convicted, Johnson faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a maximum fine of $250,000. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, he also faces a maximum lifetime term of supervised release and he will be required to register as a sex offender.
The Houston FBI Innocence Lost Task Force, which includes such agencies as the Houston Police Department, investigated.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "Resources."
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Benson December Coriolant Sentenced to 40 Years for Sex Trafficking a Child into the New Orleans Area
Benson December Coriolant, 30, of Orlando, Florida, was
sentenced today by United States District Judge Lance M. Africk to 40
years in prison after he was previously convicted by a federal jury of
sex trafficking of a child, conspiring with others to sex traffic a
child, coercing and enticing an individual to engage in prostitution,
and coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity,
announced United States Attorney Dana J. Boente. This is the first human
sex trafficking conviction in the Eastern District of Louisiana.
According to evidence introduced at trial, in late 2008, Coriolant met R.V., a 14-year-old female. Shortly thereafter, he began a sexual relationship with her. After convincing the minor that their relationship was one of boyfriend/girlfriend, Coriolant recruited R.V. to begin working for him as a prostitute in the Orlando area. Coriolant posted advertisements on multiple city-specific Internet classified ad websites offering prostitution services of the minor. Over the course of the next year, Coriolant forced R.V. to engage in dozens of sexual acts in exchange for money throughout the state of Florida. Coriolant forced R.V. to turn over the money she earned from prostitution either to him or one of his associates. Coriolant also provided R.V. with alcohol and illicit drugs, such as Ecstasy, as a way of numbing her senses and controlling her behavior.
In March 2010, Coriolant drove R.V., who was then 15 years old, to Kenner, Louisiana, to work as a prostitute. Coriolant used the New Orleans version of an online classified advertisement website to solicit individuals interested in paying for sex with the minor. Coriolant required R.V. to put the money she made from prostitution, thousands of dollars, into a bank account for his benefit. He further forced her to account for all of her expenses, including personal expenses, such as food, in a journal, daily letters, and text messages to him. Coriolant also instructed R.V. in what to charge for sex, how to provide him with the profits, how to attract business, how to avoid being apprehended by law enforcement, and how to perform certain sexual acts.
On April 24, 2010, R.V. was discovered by law enforcement authorities and ultimately sent back to Orlando with relatives. Once back in Orlando, Coriolant instructed R.V. to continue engaging in prostitution but to have sex only with regular, familiar clients because of concerns with law enforcement finding her.
In May 2010, Coriolant sent the minor back to New Orleans a second time to work as a prostitute. Coriolant again advertised sex with the minor on an online classified advertisement website. R.V. was arrested several days later.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state ,and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was further brought as part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative, which was aimed at addressing the growing problem of domestic sex trafficking of children in the United States. In the nine years since its inception, the initiative has resulted in the development of 47 dedicated task forces and working groups throughout the U.S. involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working in tandem with U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Division. The Tampa Division of the FBI and the Kenner, Louisiana Police Department also provided critical investigative assistance. The prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg, Juliana Etland, and Sean Toomey.
According to evidence introduced at trial, in late 2008, Coriolant met R.V., a 14-year-old female. Shortly thereafter, he began a sexual relationship with her. After convincing the minor that their relationship was one of boyfriend/girlfriend, Coriolant recruited R.V. to begin working for him as a prostitute in the Orlando area. Coriolant posted advertisements on multiple city-specific Internet classified ad websites offering prostitution services of the minor. Over the course of the next year, Coriolant forced R.V. to engage in dozens of sexual acts in exchange for money throughout the state of Florida. Coriolant forced R.V. to turn over the money she earned from prostitution either to him or one of his associates. Coriolant also provided R.V. with alcohol and illicit drugs, such as Ecstasy, as a way of numbing her senses and controlling her behavior.
In March 2010, Coriolant drove R.V., who was then 15 years old, to Kenner, Louisiana, to work as a prostitute. Coriolant used the New Orleans version of an online classified advertisement website to solicit individuals interested in paying for sex with the minor. Coriolant required R.V. to put the money she made from prostitution, thousands of dollars, into a bank account for his benefit. He further forced her to account for all of her expenses, including personal expenses, such as food, in a journal, daily letters, and text messages to him. Coriolant also instructed R.V. in what to charge for sex, how to provide him with the profits, how to attract business, how to avoid being apprehended by law enforcement, and how to perform certain sexual acts.
On April 24, 2010, R.V. was discovered by law enforcement authorities and ultimately sent back to Orlando with relatives. Once back in Orlando, Coriolant instructed R.V. to continue engaging in prostitution but to have sex only with regular, familiar clients because of concerns with law enforcement finding her.
In May 2010, Coriolant sent the minor back to New Orleans a second time to work as a prostitute. Coriolant again advertised sex with the minor on an online classified advertisement website. R.V. was arrested several days later.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state ,and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was further brought as part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative, which was aimed at addressing the growing problem of domestic sex trafficking of children in the United States. In the nine years since its inception, the initiative has resulted in the development of 47 dedicated task forces and working groups throughout the U.S. involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working in tandem with U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Division. The Tampa Division of the FBI and the Kenner, Louisiana Police Department also provided critical investigative assistance. The prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg, Juliana Etland, and Sean Toomey.
Gang Member Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor
PORTLAND, OR—Pedro Cruz Gonzales, 33, of Portland,
Oregon, was sentenced by the Honorable Robert E. Jones to 13 years in
federal prison following the defendant’s guilty plea to sex trafficking
of a minor. Upon his release from prison, the defendant will serve a
five-year term of supervised release.
In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that between August 2011 and September 2011, he recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, and maintained a minor female knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that she would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.
Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Jones recounted the defendant’s criminal history, his gang membership, and the nature of the crime and then noted that the defendant was “a very bad, bad and dangerous man” who “engaged in one of the worst forms of a crime, sex trafficking with a minor.” In imposing the 13-year sentence, the court directly addressed the defendant and told him, “Society needs to be protected from you.”
“We could not agree with Judge Jones more,” stated U.S. Attorney S. Amanda Marshall. “The prosecution of sex trafficking cases is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and sentences such as this send a powerful message that sex trafficking is a horrendous crime that we will aggressively prosecute.”
“Mr. Gonzales exploited one of the most vulnerable populations in society, runaway teenage girls, by preying upon their youth, vulnerabilities, and desperate circumstances,” said Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill. “Cases such as this highlight the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and victim service groups in investigating and prosecuting these cases, as well as the continued need for preventative measures to ensure kids never find themselves in this situation in the first place.”
This case was investigated by Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Prostitution Coordination Detail, the Portland Police Bureau’s Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking Unit, the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. Sexual Assault Resource Center helped with providing victim assistance. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Glen “J.R.” Ujifusa was the lead prosecutor on the case and was assisted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin. Mr. Ujifusa is a Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney who also prosecutes sex trafficking cases in federal court as a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Gang and Sex Trafficking Unit.
In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that between August 2011 and September 2011, he recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, and maintained a minor female knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that she would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.
Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Jones recounted the defendant’s criminal history, his gang membership, and the nature of the crime and then noted that the defendant was “a very bad, bad and dangerous man” who “engaged in one of the worst forms of a crime, sex trafficking with a minor.” In imposing the 13-year sentence, the court directly addressed the defendant and told him, “Society needs to be protected from you.”
“We could not agree with Judge Jones more,” stated U.S. Attorney S. Amanda Marshall. “The prosecution of sex trafficking cases is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and sentences such as this send a powerful message that sex trafficking is a horrendous crime that we will aggressively prosecute.”
“Mr. Gonzales exploited one of the most vulnerable populations in society, runaway teenage girls, by preying upon their youth, vulnerabilities, and desperate circumstances,” said Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill. “Cases such as this highlight the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and victim service groups in investigating and prosecuting these cases, as well as the continued need for preventative measures to ensure kids never find themselves in this situation in the first place.”
This case was investigated by Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Prostitution Coordination Detail, the Portland Police Bureau’s Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking Unit, the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. Sexual Assault Resource Center helped with providing victim assistance. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Glen “J.R.” Ujifusa was the lead prosecutor on the case and was assisted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin. Mr. Ujifusa is a Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney who also prosecutes sex trafficking cases in federal court as a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Gang and Sex Trafficking Unit.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Capitol Heights Pimp Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of Minors
GREENBELT, MD—Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K.
Chasanow sentenced Dennis Smith, a/k/a Domo, age 31, of Capitol Heights,
Maryland, today to 150 months in prison, followed by 10 years of
supervised release, for transporting a minor to engage in prostitution
and sex trafficking of a minor.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“The sexual victimization and trafficking of children is among the highest criminal investigative priorities for the FBI here in Maryland,” said Stephen Vogt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “This case highlights the exemplary work of the Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force and further validates the significant resources incorporated into working jointly with our law enforcement partners. The FBI pledges our firm commitment in finding, investigating, and prosecuting individuals who prey on young victims.”
According to Smith’s plea agreement, in October 2011, Smith met a 16-year-old female on a social networking site. After a month of engaging in computer chats and text messaging, Smith drove to the girl’s home and picked her up. After picking up two adult women, Smith drove them all to Richmond, where the women engaged in prostitution. Smith had the girl collect the money made by the two women for two days. Smith then photographed and advertised the girl online for sexual services. The 16-year-old engaged in commercial sex acts and provided the money she made to Smith. Smith then drove the three females back to Maryland, where he again advertised the 16-year-old for sexual services. The next day the girl returned home.
In February 2012, Smith again picked up the 16-year-old and another 15-year-old female from their high school and took them back to his home. In March 2012, law enforcement was notified that Smith was prostituting the 15-year-old girl at a hotel in New Carrollton, Maryland, through an online advertisement. An undercover law enforcement officer set up a “date” with the 15-year-old girl. When the officer arrived at the hotel, he identified the 15-year-old girl, as well as a 17-year-old girl, who were engaged in prostitution. Smith was arrested at the hotel, and his laptop and cell phone were seized, along with tattoo equipment.
Smith admitted that he brought the 15- and 17-year-old girls to his hotel where he photographed them and advertised them online for sexual services. Smith instructed the younger girl on how much to charge clients for sexual services, and she provided the money she made from prostitution to Smith. There were text messages on Smith’s cell phone between Smith and the girls that related to the girls engaging in prostitution. Both the 15- and 16-year-old girls were tattooed with Smith’s nickname, “Domo.”
This case is part of the Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force efforts to combat child prostitution. The task force, created in 2010, is composed of 15 members representing 10 agencies, both state and federal. Since October 2011, the task force has recovered 32 juveniles and investigated 25 cases that have resulted in state and federal prosecutions. The task force coordinates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit to identify missing children being advertised online for prostitution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristi N. O’Malley and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney LisaMarie Freitas of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who are prosecuting the case.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“The sexual victimization and trafficking of children is among the highest criminal investigative priorities for the FBI here in Maryland,” said Stephen Vogt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “This case highlights the exemplary work of the Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force and further validates the significant resources incorporated into working jointly with our law enforcement partners. The FBI pledges our firm commitment in finding, investigating, and prosecuting individuals who prey on young victims.”
According to Smith’s plea agreement, in October 2011, Smith met a 16-year-old female on a social networking site. After a month of engaging in computer chats and text messaging, Smith drove to the girl’s home and picked her up. After picking up two adult women, Smith drove them all to Richmond, where the women engaged in prostitution. Smith had the girl collect the money made by the two women for two days. Smith then photographed and advertised the girl online for sexual services. The 16-year-old engaged in commercial sex acts and provided the money she made to Smith. Smith then drove the three females back to Maryland, where he again advertised the 16-year-old for sexual services. The next day the girl returned home.
In February 2012, Smith again picked up the 16-year-old and another 15-year-old female from their high school and took them back to his home. In March 2012, law enforcement was notified that Smith was prostituting the 15-year-old girl at a hotel in New Carrollton, Maryland, through an online advertisement. An undercover law enforcement officer set up a “date” with the 15-year-old girl. When the officer arrived at the hotel, he identified the 15-year-old girl, as well as a 17-year-old girl, who were engaged in prostitution. Smith was arrested at the hotel, and his laptop and cell phone were seized, along with tattoo equipment.
Smith admitted that he brought the 15- and 17-year-old girls to his hotel where he photographed them and advertised them online for sexual services. Smith instructed the younger girl on how much to charge clients for sexual services, and she provided the money she made from prostitution to Smith. There were text messages on Smith’s cell phone between Smith and the girls that related to the girls engaging in prostitution. Both the 15- and 16-year-old girls were tattooed with Smith’s nickname, “Domo.”
This case is part of the Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force efforts to combat child prostitution. The task force, created in 2010, is composed of 15 members representing 10 agencies, both state and federal. Since October 2011, the task force has recovered 32 juveniles and investigated 25 cases that have resulted in state and federal prosecutions. The task force coordinates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit to identify missing children being advertised online for prostitution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristi N. O’Malley and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney LisaMarie Freitas of the U.S. Justice Department, Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who are prosecuting the case.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Alleged Reno Pimp Indicted on Federal Charges of Transporting 15-Year-Old Girl from California to Reno for Prostitution
RENO, NV—An alleged pimp from the Reno area has been
indicted by the federal grand jury on a sex trafficking charge for
transporting a 15-year-old girl from Bakersfield, California to Reno,
Nevada, to work as a prostitute, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United
States Attorney for the District of Nevada.
Vernon McCullum, III, aka “Fifth,” 20, of Reno, was indicted on Wednesday, January 23, 2013, and is charged with one count of illegal transportation of a minor for prostitution or other illegal sexual activity. If convicted, McCullum faces a minimum of 10 years to life in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. McCullum is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate judge in Reno today at 3:00 p.m. for an arraignment and plea.
According to the indictment and criminal complaint, on January 10, 2013, the Bakersfield, California Police Department received a report of a missing 15-year-old girl and opened an investigation. The investigation revealed that an advertisement had been posted on the Internet website Myredbook.com stating that an individual using the name “Babyfaith” was available for prostitution services. The telephone number listed in the advertisement was that of the missing girl. The investigation further revealed that two days earlier, on January 8, 2013, in Bakersfield, the 15-year-old girl was introduced to McCullum by a female acquaintance who had been working for McCullum as a prostitute. On January 9, 2013, McCullum drove the 15-year-old and the other female to a hotel room in Reno and directed the female acquaintance to take nude pictures of the 15-year-old, which were then uploaded onto the Myredbook.com website. Following the posting of the advertisement on the website, the 15-year-old engaged in prostitution at McCullum’s direction and was required to provide proceeds of the prostitution activity to the female acquaintance who provided it to McCullum.
The case is being investigated by the Bakersfield Police Department and the Reno Police Department Street Enforcement Team, which includes the Sparks Police Department and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI, as part of their Innocence Lost Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla B. Higginbotham.
An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Vernon McCullum, III, aka “Fifth,” 20, of Reno, was indicted on Wednesday, January 23, 2013, and is charged with one count of illegal transportation of a minor for prostitution or other illegal sexual activity. If convicted, McCullum faces a minimum of 10 years to life in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. McCullum is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate judge in Reno today at 3:00 p.m. for an arraignment and plea.
According to the indictment and criminal complaint, on January 10, 2013, the Bakersfield, California Police Department received a report of a missing 15-year-old girl and opened an investigation. The investigation revealed that an advertisement had been posted on the Internet website Myredbook.com stating that an individual using the name “Babyfaith” was available for prostitution services. The telephone number listed in the advertisement was that of the missing girl. The investigation further revealed that two days earlier, on January 8, 2013, in Bakersfield, the 15-year-old girl was introduced to McCullum by a female acquaintance who had been working for McCullum as a prostitute. On January 9, 2013, McCullum drove the 15-year-old and the other female to a hotel room in Reno and directed the female acquaintance to take nude pictures of the 15-year-old, which were then uploaded onto the Myredbook.com website. Following the posting of the advertisement on the website, the 15-year-old engaged in prostitution at McCullum’s direction and was required to provide proceeds of the prostitution activity to the female acquaintance who provided it to McCullum.
The case is being investigated by the Bakersfield Police Department and the Reno Police Department Street Enforcement Team, which includes the Sparks Police Department and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI, as part of their Innocence Lost Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla B. Higginbotham.
An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Final Hornbuckle Sister Sentenced for Child Sex Trafficking
SACRAMENTO, CA—Cherelle Elizabeth Hornbuckle, 26, of
Sacramento, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison
C. England, Jr. to seven and a half years in prison for participating
in a sex trafficking venture, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner
announced.
Cherelle Hornbuckle is the last defendant to be sentenced in this case. Co-defendants in the case included her sisters: Tynisha Hornbuckle, 24, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison; Tamrell Hornbuckle, 26, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison; and Latrelle Hornbuckle, 25, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. Their mother Tammy Brown, 44, was sentenced to three years in prison.
According to court documents, starting in 2008, the defendants solicited clients for minor females. The sisters would drive the girls to meet the clients and then would pick them up at the conclusion. These encounters took place at motels or the homes of Tamrell, Cherelle, or Latrelle Hornbuckle or their mother’s house. The owner of the home got a cut.
In sentencing Cherelle Hornbuckle, Judge England said that the sentence was intended in to give her credit for her early plea in this case and to promote early guilty pleas from other defendants in future cases. In response to her argument at sentencing that her conduct was not as serious as her sisters’ because she “attempted to protect” the girls who worked for the Hornbuckle family and treated them like a member of the family, Judge England said, “[It is a] perversion of the term ‘family’ to get to the point where this happens.”
This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional task force of the FBI, Sacramento Police Officers and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Reardon prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “Resources” tab for information about Internet safety education.
Cherelle Hornbuckle is the last defendant to be sentenced in this case. Co-defendants in the case included her sisters: Tynisha Hornbuckle, 24, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison; Tamrell Hornbuckle, 26, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison; and Latrelle Hornbuckle, 25, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. Their mother Tammy Brown, 44, was sentenced to three years in prison.
According to court documents, starting in 2008, the defendants solicited clients for minor females. The sisters would drive the girls to meet the clients and then would pick them up at the conclusion. These encounters took place at motels or the homes of Tamrell, Cherelle, or Latrelle Hornbuckle or their mother’s house. The owner of the home got a cut.
In sentencing Cherelle Hornbuckle, Judge England said that the sentence was intended in to give her credit for her early plea in this case and to promote early guilty pleas from other defendants in future cases. In response to her argument at sentencing that her conduct was not as serious as her sisters’ because she “attempted to protect” the girls who worked for the Hornbuckle family and treated them like a member of the family, Judge England said, “[It is a] perversion of the term ‘family’ to get to the point where this happens.”
This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional task force of the FBI, Sacramento Police Officers and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Reardon prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “Resources” tab for information about Internet safety education.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
En Fuego Ministry 'Apostle' Sentenced to Life for Child Sex Trafficking
ORLANDO—U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. today
sentenced Luis E. Morales (58, Ormond Beach) to life in federal prison
for child sex trafficking and transporting children across state lines
to engage in sexual activity. The court also ordered Morales to pay more
than $35,000 in restitution to the victims of the offenses and to
forfeit his interest in the property located at 8 Crossings Trail in
Ormond Beach.
Judge Dalton also sentenced Morales’ co-defendant, Rebeca Rivera (28, Hartford, Connecticut) today. Rivera was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role in aiding and abetting the sex trafficking of a child and the transportation of a child across state lines to engage in sexual activity. As part of her sentence, Rivera was ordered to pay $31,030 in restitution to the victim of her offenses, to serve 10 years of supervised release, and to register as a sex offender.
Morales and Rivera were convicted on November 5, 2012.
According to evidence presented at trial, Morales was a self-proclaimed “apostle” in a ministry that he founded called En Fuego for Jesus. Rivera was one of his “prophets” in the ministry. In November 2009, Morales transported a 12-year-old ministry member from Florida to Connecticut, knowing that the minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. While in Connecticut, Rivera recruited, encouraged, and enticed the minor to engage in sex acts with Morales. Later in November 2009, Morales transported the minor from Connecticut to Florida with the intent to engage in sexual activity with the minor. In December 2010, Morales transported a 13-year-old member of the ministry from Arizona to Florida, and then to the Virgin Islands, with the intent to engage in sexual activity with that minor.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.
It is another case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
Judge Dalton also sentenced Morales’ co-defendant, Rebeca Rivera (28, Hartford, Connecticut) today. Rivera was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role in aiding and abetting the sex trafficking of a child and the transportation of a child across state lines to engage in sexual activity. As part of her sentence, Rivera was ordered to pay $31,030 in restitution to the victim of her offenses, to serve 10 years of supervised release, and to register as a sex offender.
Morales and Rivera were convicted on November 5, 2012.
According to evidence presented at trial, Morales was a self-proclaimed “apostle” in a ministry that he founded called En Fuego for Jesus. Rivera was one of his “prophets” in the ministry. In November 2009, Morales transported a 12-year-old ministry member from Florida to Connecticut, knowing that the minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. While in Connecticut, Rivera recruited, encouraged, and enticed the minor to engage in sex acts with Morales. Later in November 2009, Morales transported the minor from Connecticut to Florida with the intent to engage in sexual activity with the minor. In December 2010, Morales transported a 13-year-old member of the ministry from Arizona to Florida, and then to the Virgin Islands, with the intent to engage in sexual activity with that minor.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen L. Gable.
It is another case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Trafficking, Producing Child Pornography
KANSAS CITY, MO—Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney
for the Western District of Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, announced
that a Kansas City, Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court today
to child sex trafficking and producing child pornography, which was
discovered during an investigation into an extortion and blackmail
scheme.
Corey M. McKinney, also known as “Chef FireFlame Corey,” 36, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. McKinney’s plea came during the second day of his trial on the charges contained in an August 30, 2011, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, McKinney admitted that he was sexually active on numerous occasions with the child victim, identified in court documents as “CV,” since she was 14 years old. McKinney, who was the legal guardian of CV, admitted that he used computers and video equipment to record sexual activity between himself and CV. McKinney also admitted that he caused CV to engage in prostitution as part of an extortion and blackmail scheme.
On March 24, 2011, McKinney was hiding in the bedroom closet while CV was having sex with a man identified in court documents as “John Doe.” John Doe had just met CV, whom he believed to be 17 years old, on Facebook the day before. McKinney secretly recorded the sexual encounter on his cell phone and on a nearby computer.
John Doe returned to the apartment the next day to have sex again. McKinney burst into the room, asking John Doe if he knew how much trouble he could get into because his sister was only 16 years old. John Doe did not know that the girl was actually 16 years old or that McKinney had recorded the earlier illicit encounter. He did not know that the 16-year-old girl was not actually McKinney’s sister but rather was a former neighbor that McKinney himself—a 34-year-old man at the time, a few years older than John Doe—had been exploiting sexually.
After demanding $500 in exchange for not exposing John Doe to his family, friends, employer, or the authorities, McKinney made John Doe go with him to a nearby ATM to get some form of this payment. John Doe was only able to pay $100 at that time, and McKinney demanded that he pay the balance in the next few days.
After this encounter, John Doe received a flurry of text messages from McKinney, who made threats and demanded money. McKinney claimed he sent the video file to a friend who worked at a local news agency. He also attempted to confront John Doe by arriving unannounced at his home. After numerous texts and an attempted in-face confrontation, John Doe approached the authorities and advised them of the extortion attempts. The text message threats from McKinney continued, and soon John Doe learned that McKinney was posting information about him and his wife on his Facebook page. Eventually, an exchange was arranged (through the direction of the Kansas City Police Department) to pay the remainder of the money in exchange for a USB drive with the video on it.
On April 7, 2011, McKinney was arrested at DeVry University in Kansas City, Missouri, (where he was a student) after he exchanged a USB drive containing the video for money that he had been demanding from John Doe. Evidence uncovered during the investigation included various videos and images constituting child pornography with McKinney engaged in sexual activity with the same child victim. When investigators searched the minor’s cell phone, they found several sexually explicit photos of McKinney and the minor, as well as sexually explicit photos of John Doe and the minor.
McKinney admitted that while he was incarcerated after his arrest he called the child victim dozens of times in repeated efforts to get her to recant her prior statements and testimony and persuade her to submit a statement on his behalf in the hopes of getting the charges against him dismissed.
Under federal statutes, McKinney is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick D. Daly and Brian P. Casey. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and the FBI in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available online at http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/index.html.
Corey M. McKinney, also known as “Chef FireFlame Corey,” 36, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. McKinney’s plea came during the second day of his trial on the charges contained in an August 30, 2011, federal indictment.
By pleading guilty today, McKinney admitted that he was sexually active on numerous occasions with the child victim, identified in court documents as “CV,” since she was 14 years old. McKinney, who was the legal guardian of CV, admitted that he used computers and video equipment to record sexual activity between himself and CV. McKinney also admitted that he caused CV to engage in prostitution as part of an extortion and blackmail scheme.
On March 24, 2011, McKinney was hiding in the bedroom closet while CV was having sex with a man identified in court documents as “John Doe.” John Doe had just met CV, whom he believed to be 17 years old, on Facebook the day before. McKinney secretly recorded the sexual encounter on his cell phone and on a nearby computer.
John Doe returned to the apartment the next day to have sex again. McKinney burst into the room, asking John Doe if he knew how much trouble he could get into because his sister was only 16 years old. John Doe did not know that the girl was actually 16 years old or that McKinney had recorded the earlier illicit encounter. He did not know that the 16-year-old girl was not actually McKinney’s sister but rather was a former neighbor that McKinney himself—a 34-year-old man at the time, a few years older than John Doe—had been exploiting sexually.
After demanding $500 in exchange for not exposing John Doe to his family, friends, employer, or the authorities, McKinney made John Doe go with him to a nearby ATM to get some form of this payment. John Doe was only able to pay $100 at that time, and McKinney demanded that he pay the balance in the next few days.
After this encounter, John Doe received a flurry of text messages from McKinney, who made threats and demanded money. McKinney claimed he sent the video file to a friend who worked at a local news agency. He also attempted to confront John Doe by arriving unannounced at his home. After numerous texts and an attempted in-face confrontation, John Doe approached the authorities and advised them of the extortion attempts. The text message threats from McKinney continued, and soon John Doe learned that McKinney was posting information about him and his wife on his Facebook page. Eventually, an exchange was arranged (through the direction of the Kansas City Police Department) to pay the remainder of the money in exchange for a USB drive with the video on it.
On April 7, 2011, McKinney was arrested at DeVry University in Kansas City, Missouri, (where he was a student) after he exchanged a USB drive containing the video for money that he had been demanding from John Doe. Evidence uncovered during the investigation included various videos and images constituting child pornography with McKinney engaged in sexual activity with the same child victim. When investigators searched the minor’s cell phone, they found several sexually explicit photos of McKinney and the minor, as well as sexually explicit photos of John Doe and the minor.
McKinney admitted that while he was incarcerated after his arrest he called the child victim dozens of times in repeated efforts to get her to recant her prior statements and testimony and persuade her to submit a statement on his behalf in the hopes of getting the charges against him dismissed.
Under federal statutes, McKinney is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000 and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick D. Daly and Brian P. Casey. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and the FBI in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.
This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available online at http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/index.html.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Fort Lauderdale Man Sentenced to Life for Sex Trafficking of Minors
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the
Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent
in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office;
and Franklin C. Adderly, Chief of Police, Fort Lauderdale Police
Department, announced yesterday’s sentencing of Van Lawson Williams, 49,
of Fort Lauderdale, on charges of sex trafficking and attempted sex
trafficking of minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code,
Section 1591(a). At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Daniel
T.K. Hurley sentenced Williams to life in prison.
On October 30, 2012, a jury found defendant Williams guilty of four counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of attempted sex trafficking of minors. At trial, six victims, all runaways at the time they met Williams, testified that they worked or were recruited to work as prostitutes at Williams’ residence. According to the trial evidence, Williams sought out minor female runaways in his neighborhood and invited them to stay with him at his Fort Lauderdale residence, promising them food and shelter. Williams would then convince the girls to work as prostitutes, telling them that they could not stay for free but rather had to earn money to pay the bills. The victims testified that on most occasions, they were required to give Williams the money they collected for their prostitution services. Several of the victims testified that Williams provided them with illegal narcotics, including marijuana and crack cocaine, and that he engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual activity with them.
At the sentencing hearing, one of the victims read a letter she had written to the court, describing the shame she still feels every day when she looks in the mirror. Another victim, only 12 when she was prostituted by Williams, wrote a letter to the court in which she described the damage that she had suffered as a result of Williams’ actions and wrote of her dream to one day meet and marry a sweet man.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto and Corey Steinberg.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
On October 30, 2012, a jury found defendant Williams guilty of four counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of attempted sex trafficking of minors. At trial, six victims, all runaways at the time they met Williams, testified that they worked or were recruited to work as prostitutes at Williams’ residence. According to the trial evidence, Williams sought out minor female runaways in his neighborhood and invited them to stay with him at his Fort Lauderdale residence, promising them food and shelter. Williams would then convince the girls to work as prostitutes, telling them that they could not stay for free but rather had to earn money to pay the bills. The victims testified that on most occasions, they were required to give Williams the money they collected for their prostitution services. Several of the victims testified that Williams provided them with illegal narcotics, including marijuana and crack cocaine, and that he engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual activity with them.
At the sentencing hearing, one of the victims read a letter she had written to the court, describing the shame she still feels every day when she looks in the mirror. Another victim, only 12 when she was prostituted by Williams, wrote a letter to the court in which she described the damage that she had suffered as a result of Williams’ actions and wrote of her dream to one day meet and marry a sweet man.
Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto and Corey Steinberg.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Philadelphia Man Charged with Child Sex Trafficking
PHILADELPHIA—Rashaad McIntyre, 35, a/k/a “Sincere,” of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with one
count of production of child pornography and three counts of sex
trafficking of a minor, announced United States Attorney Zane David
Memeger.
According to the indictment, from at least December 2011 until at least June 2012, McIntyre was the operator of a prostitution venture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As part of this venture, McIntyre recruited young females to work as prostitutes in his business. Three of the females whom he allegedly recruited and who worked for him were under the age of 18 years at the time. McIntyre allegedly created Internet advertisements in which he advertised various females as available for purchase for purposes of prostitution. These advertisements featured pictures of the females, scantily clad, and a phone number to call to arrange a meeting with a female.
The indictment further alleges that McIntyre produced a child pornography image of Minor 2.
If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison on count one; a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with and a maximum possible sentence of life on counts two through four, and a fine of up to $1 million, a lifetime period of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan.
According to the indictment, from at least December 2011 until at least June 2012, McIntyre was the operator of a prostitution venture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As part of this venture, McIntyre recruited young females to work as prostitutes in his business. Three of the females whom he allegedly recruited and who worked for him were under the age of 18 years at the time. McIntyre allegedly created Internet advertisements in which he advertised various females as available for purchase for purposes of prostitution. These advertisements featured pictures of the females, scantily clad, and a phone number to call to arrange a meeting with a female.
The indictment further alleges that McIntyre produced a child pornography image of Minor 2.
If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison on count one; a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with and a maximum possible sentence of life on counts two through four, and a fine of up to $1 million, a lifetime period of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan.
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