Authorities began investigating Defendant when one victim reported that she was being pimped out by Defendant. Defendant recruited girls, an unspecified number of which were minor runaways, and provided shelter, food, alcohol, and drugs to victims. In exchange, victims placed advertisements on craigslist for sexual services and prostituted themselves on the streets. Victims were required to give all money made through prostitution to Defendant. Defendant also used victims to package and deliver crack cocaine. Victims were threatened and beaten if they disobeyed Defendant.
1st Instance:
The case was originally a state case, but was adopted by the government and Defendant was charged in federal court.
18 U.S.C. § 2423
18 U.S.C. § 2421
18 U.S.C. § 1591
18 U.S.C. § 2423
18 U.S.C. § 2421
18 U.S.C. § 1591
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
The case was originally a state case, but was adopted by the government and Defendant was charged in federal court. Original co-defendant was severed from the case and charged in state court with several drug-related charges that were dismissed.
Defendant was originally charged with nine counts: one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking (18 U.S.C. § 371), one count of transportation of a minor in furtherance of prostitution (18 U.S.C. § 2423), two counts of sex trafficking of a minor (18 U.S.C. § 1591), one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (21 U.S.C. § 846), one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)), one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense (18 U.S.C. § 924(a)), and one count of felon in possession of a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)).