Case Summaries
Below are summaries of some of the cases investigated during the first five
years of the FBI’s Innocence Lost joint initiative with the Department
of Justice’s Child Exploitation-Obscenity Section and the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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Don L. Elbert III forced three underage sisters, two of which were 14-year-old
twins, into prostitution. Elbert pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking
in May of 2007. On Jan. 10, 2008, Elbert was sentenced to eight years
in prison, 15 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $524,571
in restitution. (Kansas City)
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On June 19, 2005, Juan Rico Doss was indicted on one
count of conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking of children, three
counts of transportation
of minors for prostitution, and two counts of criminal forfeiture.
Doss transported two minor females between Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland,
and Reno. His spouse, Jacquay Ford, was found to be involved in
the girls’ exploitation.
She was indicted and testified against Doss. Ford was sentenced
to 15 months. Doss received a life sentence. (Los Angeles)
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Robert Lewis Young aka “Blue Diamond” transported juveniles
from Hawaii to Chicago and Detroit. Young was based in Detroit and had
a relationship with a Chicago dentist, Dr. Gary Kimmel. Electronic surveillance
of Young’s phone was initiated in June of 2005. On March 17, 2007,
Young was sentenced to 25 years in prison, 5 years supervised release,
and ordered to pay $67,000 in child support for his 12 children. On Oct.
30, 2007, one of Young’s pimp partners, Jody Spears, was
sentenced to eight years. On May 29, 2008, Kimmel plead guilty
to one count of
money laundering and agreed to forfeit $405,000. (Detroit/Chicago/Honolulu)
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Matthew Thompkins aka “Knowledge” was a U.S.
Postal Service employee who operated a criminal enterprise involving
35-40 females whom
he forced into prostitution. His youngest victim was 14 years old.
In August 2005, electronic monitoring on two of his telephones began.
On
Dec. 15, 2005, individuals were indicted. Thompkins assets totaled
in excess of three million dollars eight. On March 27, 2008, Thompkins
was
sentenced to 23.3 years in prison and lifetime supervised release.
On the same date, his associate, Demetrius Lemus was sentenced to eight
years - the reduction due to cooperation against Thompkins. (Atlantic
City)
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Daniel McNeal recruited a 16-year-old victim into prostitution. He had
a history of sex trafficking and violent crime. On Nov. 5, 2007, McNeal
was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison and lifetime supervised
release. (Minneapolis)
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Kevin Murphy trafficked women and children to Washington, D.C., and
other cities for the purpose of prostitution. Agents in Washington, D.C.,
assisted in recovering a juvenile victim. Five victims testified to the
grand jury which resulted in a multiple-count indictment against Murphy.
On Oct. 26, 2007, Murphy was sentenced to 10 years. (Toledo)
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On Oct. 17, 2007, Keith Goodwin aka “Kaydoe” was
sentenced to 97 months for the production of child pornography. During
a search
of his residence, three child victims of prostitution were recovered.
Goodwin was also sentenced to 15 months on a felon in possession
of a weapon charge. (Detroit)
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LaFayette Roderick pleaded guilty to the transportation
of a 16-year-old throughout Michigan for the purpose of prostitution.
On Oct. 12, 2007,
Roderick was sentenced to a term of 3 – 20 years to be served
in the Michigan State prison system. (Detroit)
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On June 19, 2007, Obak Wofford pleaded guilty to one count of Interstate
Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Prostitution. On Sept. 6, 2007,
He was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Atlanta, GA to 10 years
imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release. (Atlanta)
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Sunni Ham forced two underage girls into prostitution in Washington,
DC. He forced them to wear revealing clothing while they performed sex
acts for money. On June 12, 2007, Ham was sentenced to 106 months. (Washington,
D.C.)
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Demond Levail Osley aka “D-Lo” took a 17-year-old
victim from Detroit to Florida and forced her into prostitution. On Feb.
7,
2007, Osley was convicted of one count of sex trafficking of a
minor by force, fraud, or coercion; one count of transportation of an
individual
for prostitution, one count of coercion and enticement of an individual
to engage in sexual activity; and one count of coercion and enticement
of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Osley was sentenced to
30 years and 5 months. (Miami)
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On June 21, 2006, Will Moss, Jr. aka “Slim” was
found guilty of 12 counts relating to sex trafficking of children and
various firearms
offenses. Moss employed minors for the purpose of prostitution,
transported them across state lines and controlled them through force
and intimidation.
They were assaulted and raped by Moss on numerous occasions. On
Feb. 9, 2007, Moss was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison and 10
years
of supervision. Upon release from prison, he must register as a
sex offender. (Sacramento)
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On Dec. 3, 2003, Carlos Curtis was indicted on charges of transporting
minors from New York and Maryland to engage in prostitution in Washington,
DC. Curtis was indicted for violating numerous federal statutes including
sex trafficking of children, transportation of minors, transportation
for illegal sexual activity, and materials involving the sexual exploitation
of children. Guilty pleas were obtained for associates Michael Goodwin
for two counts of Pandering, and Janet Rodriguez for one count of pandering.
On July 22, 2004, Goodwin was sentenced to 36 months. On Sept. 6, 2004,
Rodriguez was sentenced to 36 months. On July 2, 2004, Curtis was convicted
after a two-week trial. On March 27, 2006, Curtis was sentenced to life
imprisonment. (Washington, D.C.)
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Michael Simmons, Stephanie Gease, and Deshonqua Strait
were all convicted in relation to a case of child prostitution. Simmons
was found guilty
of transporting a child from PA to CA and sentenced to 17.5 years.
Gease, Simmons’ aunt and former foster mother, was sentenced to
8 months for purchasing a bus ticket and escorting the child to the bus
station.
Strait was sentenced to 12 months for training and supervising
the child. (Pittsburgh)
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Gary Gates and Tamisha Hayward operated an online escort/prostitution
business known as “Red Light Special” and “Pandora’s
Box.” Clients contacted a telephone number posted on the
website to set up dates. Hayward reserved hotel rooms for the girls
using Priceline.com.
On April 23, 2004, Gates and Hayward were indicted on 13 counts
of sex trafficking of children; 11 counts coercion and enticement;
5 counts
of transportation of minors; and two counts of transportation for
illegal sexual activity. Hayward was also charged with one count
of conspiracy.
On Sept. 8, 2004, through plea agreements, Gates was sentenced
to 178 months and Hayward to 103 months. (Washington, D.C.)
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Stormy Nights was a large-scale child prostitution investigation focused
on the interstate prostitution of children at truck stops and call services
nationwide. Stormy Nights utilized a number of sophisticated investigative
techniques to include a Title III Wiretap, GPS, and pen registers. On
May 10, 2004, nine federal arrest warrants and three federal search warrants
were executed in and around the Oklahoma City area. These individuals
were charged with a variety of federal offenses to include transportation
of an individual with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; aiding
and abetting; transportation of person under age of 18 with intent to
engage in criminal sexual activity; promotion, management, establishment,
or carrying on of any unlawful activity; sex trafficking of children;
coercion of a person under age of 18 to engage in sexual act; felon in
possession of a firearm; interstate and foreign travel or transportation
in aid of racketeering; and money laundering. Sentences for these individuals
ranged in length up to 17.5 years. (Oklahoma City)
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On Sept. 20, 2002, Theodore Love, aka “Ace Love” was arrested
on state charges for promoting prostitution. In the residence were six
females, two of which were juveniles ages 13 and 17. Love transported
the women and children to Las Vegas, Nevada; Washington, D.C.; and Los
Angeles, California, and forced them to work as prostitutes. Love advertised
his escort company “The Love Zone” in the Spectator magazine
and on the Internet at Eros Guide. On Sept. 25, 2003, Love was indicted
federally, charged with sex trafficking of children; and transportation
of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Love pled
guilty and was sentenced to 87 months in prison. In addition, approximately
$3,000 in cash, which was found during the search of Love’s
residence, was administratively forfeited. (San Francisco)
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Mariece Chevalia Sims, aka Maurice C. Sims and Dwayne B. Thigpen abducted
a 16-year-old from Arkansas and forced her into prostitution in Texarkana,
Arkansas; Gulfport, Mississippi; and Atlanta, Georgia. Sims and Thigpen
sexually assaulted and continually threatened the victim. On Aug. 12,
2003, Sims and Thigpen were charged with kidnapping; transportation of
minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. On Aug. 27,
2004, Thigpen pled guilty to one count of transportation with intent
to engage in criminal sexual activity. On Sept. 20, 2004, Sims was found
guilty at trial of kidnapping; forced labor; sex trafficking of children;
and transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
On Dec. 16, 2004, Thigpen was sentenced to 60 months in prison and five
years supervised release. Sims was sentenced to life in prison, five
years supervised release, and was ordered to pay $500.00 in fines. (Atlanta)
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Anderson Byron Walker, aka Jazon Wallace, Jeremiah Collins,
Andy Wyzell, McArthur Harris abducted a 15-year-old female from Howell,
Michigan,
and transported her to Atlanta, Georgia. Walker sexually assaulted
the victim and forced her by threats and intimidation into prostitution.
The victim was provided false identification and estimated while
in Georgia
she turned 75-100 “tricks.” On May 31, 2001, Walker
was charged with one count of transportation with intent to engage
in criminal sexual
activity and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit
sexual conduct. On Sept. 2, 2003, Walker pled guilty and was convicted
on both
counts. Walker was sentenced on April 6, 2004 to 75 months in prison.
Walker is also serving two 7-year terms and six 20-year terms in
Oklahoma State prison on eight counts to include: Assault; Battery;
Kidnapping;
and Rape. (Detroit)
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Jeffrey L. Byrd was investigated for recruiting an 18-year-old prostitute
and transporting her to New York. He and the victim then attempted to
recruit a 14-year-old female as a prostitute. Local law enforcement interceded
in the matter and arrested Byrd. On Oct. 22, 2003, Byrd was charged in
a three-count Federal Grand Jury Indictment in the Middle District of
Pennsylvania. Byrd was charged with transportation to engage in prostitution;
attempted interstate transportation to engage in prostitution; and attempted
interstate transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal
sexual activity. On Jan. 5, 2004, Byrd entered a guilty plea and was
sentenced to 55 months imprisonment, three years supervised release,
and was ordered to pay $600.00 in fines. (Philadelphia)
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Justine Reisdorf, 19, victimized high school girls by posting ads of
them online and then arranged for dates at the motel where she worked.
She also advertised on the telephone chat line Live Links. Reisdorf pled
guilty and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. (Minneapolis)
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