Dear Deputies Go Murder Keenon Green By Rodent Poison

[Michael Zimmerman]

SAN DIEGO – Keenon Green, who used social media to try to recruit
someone he believed was a 16-year-old female into prostitution, was
sentenced today in federal court to144 months in prison.

A jury convicted Green of Attempted Sex Trafficking of Children and
Attempted Enticement of a Minor after a three-day jury trial in February.

According to evidence presented at trial, from December 16, 2021, to
January 14, 2022, Green used Instagram direct messages and cell phone
text messages to lure into prostitution a social media user he knew as
“Lexi,” who told him she was 16 years old.

Green promised to provide protection for Lexi on “the blade,” a slang
term that refers to an area where prostitutes/sex workers solicit
sex-buyers. He also promised to get her a false identification and post
commercial sex advertisements for her online. He assured her that she
could “charge 350 a hour and only be in there 30 mins max.” He even
offered to teach her how to drive. And in return, he expected Lexi to
earn $500 a night as a prostitute, and $1,000 a night if they were out
of town.

When Lexi finally agreed, he arranged to pick her up at a local park and
planned to take her to Orange County to work on “the blade.” Showing
his intent to follow through on that plan, he arrived at the meeting
location with feminine items in the trunk of his vehicle, including hair
products and a bottle of Vagisil. However, Lexi was not a 16-year-old
female, but an undercover officer with the San Diego Sheriff’s
Department, and he was greeted by law enforcement and immediately arrested.

Evidence presented at trial, and also discussed at the sentencing
hearing, demonstrated that Green’s pimping activity was not just
aspirational. Post-arrest, he admitted he “ran” seven to nine other
women and had earned tens of thousands of dollars, bragging that he
“lives off the earnings of a prostitute.” Instagram records showed that
at the same time he was enticing Lexi to work for him as a prostitute,
he was attempting to recruit multiple other women on Instagram, telling
them that their “anatomy is the most valuable thing on this earth” and
that he could help them “use it wisely.” Green also was not above using
violence and threats of violence to keep his prostitutes in line. In an
audio message presented at sentencing, Green repeatedly threatened one
woman who was working for him as a prostitute, screaming that he would
“break [her] fucking jaw,” “beat the shit out of [her],” “stomp a
fucking mudhole in [her],” and “play games with [her] face.”

“The sentence imposed today recognizes the severity of the crime for
which Mr. Green has been convicted,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman.
“Fortunately, proactive efforts by our law enforcement partners
identified Mr. Green as someone willing to exploit the most vulnerable
members of our society for nothing more than his own financial gain.
This case should serve as a clear warning that law enforcement will not
tolerate these crimes and will do everything in our power to protect
children in our communities.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team, the
San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, Homeland Security
Investigations, and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department for their
excellent work on this case.

“Today’s announcement is a result of strong partnerships by law
enforcement agencies uniting to put a stop sexual violence and
exploitation,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s
sentencing sends a strong message that those who engage in sex
trafficking and target vulnerable youth in our communities will be held
accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I want to thank my team
with the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s
Office, and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for
their collaboration in making California a safer place. When we work
together, we get results. Protecting public safety is our highest
priority and we won’t rest until the job is done.”

“Sex traffickers typically prey on and sexually exploit the most
vulnerable population; fortunately, in this case, the defendant was
speaking to a law enforcement officer – not a 16-year-old girl,” said
Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “HSI is
committed to using proactive efforts to target and prevent sex
trafficking offenses. Together, we can more effectively eradicate this
vile criminal activity from the community.”

“The Sheriff’s Department is proud of the collaborative efforts by all
involved in this investigation and prosecution. This teamwork is vitally
important in targeting the people involved in this type of criminal
behavior. The department is committed to these partnerships as we
continue in our efforts to prevent these crimes from occurring.”

DEFENDANT Case Number
22-cr-187-CAB

Keenon Green Age: 35
Chula Vista

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Attempted Sex Trafficking of Children – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1591(a)

Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $250,000 fine, with 10-year
mandatory minimum

Attempted Enticement of a Minor – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2422(b)

Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $250,000 fine, with 10-year
mandatory minimum

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force

Homeland Security Investigations

San Diego Sheriff’s Department

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and
Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section. Formed in 2019, the VCHT is tasked
with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in
the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes,
firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil
rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern
District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Neighborhoods,
Human Trafficking, and Project Safe Childhood. The VCHT Section also
provides federal prosecutors to the downtown San Diego Violent Crimes
Task Force-Gang Group, the North County Gang Task Force, and the East
County Gang Task Force.

Contact
Assistant U. S. Attorneys Jill Streja [phone] and Seth Askins
[phone]

[Michael Zimmerman]

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Enrique Balcazar, 37, and Elizabeth Balcazar,
21,– both of Batesburg – and Balcazar Nature Harvesting, LLC (BNH) have
been sentenced in federal court for labor trafficking, confiscating
passports in connection with labor trafficking, and fraud in foreign
labor contracting.

Evidence presented in Court indicated that Enrique Balcazar and his
daughter Elizabeth Balcazar operated BNH, which provided seasonal
agricultural labor to farms in the Lexington County area. In early
2021, the defendants incorporated the business and obtained permission
from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to recruit foreign national
agricultural workers by promising it would provide particular work
conditions for its workers.

Elizabeth then travelled to Mexico and recruited 55 Mexican nationals to
work for BNH in Lexington County in exchange for those same promises.
Each worker obtained an H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa that
authorized them to lawfully work in the United States. Elizabeth
travelled by bus with the workers back to Lexington County, where she
and her father brought the workers to a camp facility in Batesburg where
they would live and work for BNH. Enrique and Elizabeth confiscated the
workers’ passports and visas the same day they arrived.

From April 2021 to December 2021, BNH subjected the workers to forced
and exploitative labor. Rather than the 40 hours of work per week
promised, victims were made to work nearly twice that, and some weeks as
many as 90 hours. Because BNH only paid victim workers for 40 hours,
the workers received no pay at all for a portion of their work. BNH
further failed to pay promised wages for the hours they did pay, and
they engaged in illegal cost-shifting by requiring workers’ pay for
transportation, visas, food, and work equipment.

Workers were also made to work outside of the location BNH promised, and
some mornings workers were woken at 3:00 A.M. or 4:00 A.M. to travel to
a work site. Workers were returned at 10:00 P.M. or 11:00 P.M., which
is when they were provided dinner. The defendants promised to provide
three meals a day, but instead they provided two meals a day, for which
BNH improperly deducted from worker paychecks.

Enrique used force and coercion to keep workers with BNH, including by
threatening deportation, confiscating passports and visas, brandishing
and discharging firearms, failing to provide medical care, placing locks
on the outside of the facility where workers slept, and by posting armed
guards at the camp facility. Workers eventually began to escape and
speak with victim service providers, the South Carolina Law Enforcement
Division (SLED), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSI).

In December 2021, a federal search warrant was executed at BNH, where
agents seized 23 firearms, ammunition, body armor, at least 9 victim
passports from BNH. Following that search, service providers provided
victim assistance and DOL investigated workplace conditions.

Federal charges were brought, and Enrique Balcazar pled guilty to Labor
Trafficking in violation 18 U.S.C. § 1589 and Passport Confiscation in
Furtherance of Labor Trafficking in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1592.
Elizabeth Balcazar and BNH pled guilty to Fraud in Foreign Labor
Contracting in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1351.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced the defendants,
and at sentencing the Court heard from nineteen victims through written
victim impact statements.

Enrique Balcazar was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison,
$11,332.90 in restitution, 3 years of Court-ordered supervision to
follow his term of imprisonment, he will be placed in immigration
removal proceedings following imprisonment, and 23 firearms, ammunition,
body armor, and more than $32,000 in funds were ordered to be forfeited.
There is no parole in the federal system.

Elizabeth Balcazar was sentenced to time served (two months), she was
ordered to pay a total of $508,125.89 in restitution to 55 victim
workers largely related to unpaid wages, plus 3 years of Court-ordered
supervision, 1 year of a curfew, and 100 hours of community service at
an organization that serves the immigrant community.

BNH was ordered to pay $508,125.89 in restitution to 55 victim workers,
more than $32,000 in business funds were forfeited, and the business was
sentenced to 3 years of probation.

“Our office will not tolerate forced labor or the exploitation of
foreign national workers in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F.
Boroughs. “Human trafficking violates people’s most basic human rights,
and the Department will continue to bring every resource we have to
combat it. We thank our law enforcement and service provider partners
for their critical work in this case.”

“Identifying and stopping those who are involved in labor exploitation
not only protects workers from unjust and inhumane treatment, but also
prevents unfair competitive advantages that harm the labor market,” said
Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Charlotte, which covers
North and South Carolina. “Hopefully, the results of this case will
encourage others being exploited to come forward and seek help.”

“Victims of labor trafficking deserve justice. Our communities are safe
when we show that labor trafficking will not be tolerated in South
Carolina,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “SLED will continue to work
together with local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as
prosecutors and other community partners, so the people and businesses
that look to harm and exploit these individuals will face consequences.”

“Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes against workers,
especially when employers prey on our society’s most vulnerable
members,” said U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division District
Director Jamie Benefiel. “These victim workers traveled far from home
to provide for their families and found themselves stripped of their
dignity, freedom, and basic human rights. The U.S. Department of Labor
and its Wage and Hour Division are engaged in a battle to identify human
trafficking, to end the misery it brings, and to hold those who
callously engage in it accountable.”

The case was investigated by HSI, SLED, and DOL. Assistant U.S.
Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Carrie Fisher Sherard prosecuted the case.

###

Contact
Brook Andrews, First Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s
Office, ***@usdoj.gov, [phone]

[Michael Zimmerman]

HOUSTON – A 30-year-old woman who resided in Houston has been ordered to
federal prison for conspiracy to traffic an adult female for sex by
force, fraud or coercion., announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Samaria Kearney pleaded guilty Feb. 15.

Today, U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal sentenced Kearney to a total of
72 months of imprisonment. In handing down the prison term, the court
noted the sentence reflected the delicate balance between Kearney being
under the influence of another person, engaging in prostitution and
causing others to become a victim of sex trafficking. Judge Rosenthal
further noted the sentence was commensurate with the brief time Kearney
was controlling this victim. Kearney will serve five years on supervised
release following completion of her prison term. During that time, she
will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict her
access to children and the internet. Kearney will also be ordered to
register as a sex offender.

The day before her plea, her boyfriend and co-defendant Aryion Dupree
Jackson received a 324-month-prison term for his participation in this
case and an additional sex trafficking case involving minor females.

Between June and July 2020, while Jackson was in custody in Harris
County, Kearney controlled a victim for him. He had directed her to do
so in recorded calls from the jail. The plan was to put this victim on
“the blade,” an area known for prostitution, and cause her to engage in
commercial sex. However, the victim escaped and called police.

Kearney was responsible for driving the victim to a hotel, taking her
phone and documents, threatening the victim and her family and chasing
her down when she tried to escape. During that chase, Kearney was on the
phone with Jackson.

Kearney will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of
Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sherri L. Zack and Kimberly Ann Leo prosecuted
the case.

The FBI conducted the investigation as part of the Human Trafficking
Rescue Alliance (HTRA).

HTRA law enforcement includes members of the Houston Police Department,
FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General’s Office,
IRS-Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor (DOL), DOL – Wage and
Hour Division, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage
Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, Department of Homeland
Security – Office of Inspector General (OIG), Social Security
Administration – OIG and Sheriff’s Offices in Harris and Montgomery
counties in coordination with District Attorney’s offices in Harris,
Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.

Established in 2004, the United States Attorney’s office in Houston
formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local
enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental
service organizations to target human traffickers while providing
necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its
inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international
model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and
prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.

[Michael Zimmerman]

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Eric Rashun Jones, a/k/a “E Dolla,” a/k/a
“E,” 31, of Newberry, has pleaded guilty to Human Trafficking
Conspiracy, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, and Witness
Tampering.

As to the Human Trafficking Conspiracy conviction, evidence presented in
court showed that from August 2018 through November 2022, Jones worked
together with at least one other person to prostitute women in the
commercial sex trade by force, fraud, and coercion. He did so by
physical violence: Jones broke one victim’s orbital socket and burst her
ear drum; he hit another victim regularly with a closed fist. Videos
recovered by FBI showed Jones directing the physical assault of women
who worked for him. He also forced women to engage in sexual acts with
him and others. Jones also exploited the drug addictions of victims,
including by withholding the fentanyl one victim was dependent on as
punishment and by paying others for commercial sex with the drugs they
were dependent on. He also threatened to kill one victim and her
family. Further, Jones exercised high levels of control: he managed
online advertisements for the commercial sex, he controlled when and
where women would work, and he determined whether and how proceeds would
be divided.

As to the Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition conviction,
evidence presented in court showed that Lexington County 911 received a
call on June 25, 2019, from a victim who told law enforcement that Jones
had forced her into prostitution, that he had confiscated proceeds, and
that he had stolen her phone, money, and pistol. The Lexington County
Sheriff’s Department responded and found Jones in a hotel room with two
women, one of whom was partially undressed. Inside the hotel room was a
Springfield 9mm handgun loaded with 6 rounds. Jones admitted to hiding
the firearm under the mattress. At the time, federal law prohibited
Jones from firearm possession as a result of prior felony convictions,
including for Strong Arm Robbery, Common Law Robbery, and Assault &
Battery 1st Degree.

As to the Witness Tampering conviction, evidence presented in court
showed that between August and November 2022, while in federal custody,
Jones called a woman involved with him in commercial sex and told her on
a recorded jail call to “say nothing at all” to federal law enforcement,
to “never say nothing,” to “tell those mother f***ers you know nothing,”
and to “f*** the police, the police aint your family.” Separately, over
a five-day span, Jones called that victim 40 times. Jones also told her
he has “a third eye on the street,” and in a prior hearing it was
alleged that Jones was a member of a street gang.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Jones agreed to pay victims restitution
and to register as a sex offender. He also agreed to forfeit jewelry,
U.S. currency, a firearm, and electronics used or purchased with
proceeds of criminal conduct. Jones faces a maximum penalty of Life in
prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and Lifetime supervision
to follow a term of imprisonment.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon accepted the guilty plea
and will sentence Jones after receiving and reviewing a sentencing
report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the
Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an
evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.
Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to
identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and
develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this
strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders
and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for
lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
Greenville Police Department, Newberry County Sheriff’s Office,
Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Simpsonville Police Department,
and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott
B. Daniels and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting the case.

###

Contact
Brook Andrews, First Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s
Office, ***@usdoj.gov, 803-929-3000

[Michael Zimmerman]

SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that
Deray Montrez Richard, 38 of Bastrop, Louisiana, has been sentenced by
United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 228 months (19
years) in prison in connection with a human trafficking case. Richard
was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,000.

“This is another case of a defendant taking advantage of vulnerable
individuals in our society for selfish reasons,” said U.S. Attorney
Brandon B. Brown. “We know that there are many other instances of human
trafficking and forced labor across our district and we are committed to
funneling resources toward combating such heinous activity.”

According to evidence presented to the court, Richard met a 20-year-old
female (Victim 1) on Facebook in the fall of 2020 and he convinced her
to travel with him. In December 2020, Richard and another female (Victim
2) drove to Kentucky to pick up Victim 1 in order to prostitute for
Richard. Once they picked her up, Richard and the two females drove to
Mesquite, Texas where they got two hotel rooms. While in Mesquite, at
Richard’s direction, Victim 1 saw several johns and performed sexual
acts in exchange for money. Richard kept the money and in fact
physically assaulted and forced Victim 1 to engage in prostitution.
Richard left Mesquite with the two female victims, arrived in Bossier
City, Louisiana on December 12, 2020, and rented two rooms at a local
hotel. While in Bossier City, Richard directed Victim 1 to post escort
ads on the internet advertising sexual services. He later got into an
argument with Victim 1 that escalated to him beating her.

On December 13, 2020, Richard and the two female victims moved to
another hotel in Bossier City and rented two rooms. While there, both
female victims saw several johns and performed sexual acts at Richard’s
direction. Later that day, Richard began to physically assault both
female victims at the hotel. Victim 1 was able to flee the room and
report the fight to the hotel clerk, then ran to a nearby convenience
store for assistance. Officers with the Bossier City Police Department
arrived, and Richard was arrested. After further investigation by agents
with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Richard was indicted by
a federal grand jury on human trafficking charges. Richard pleaded
guilty to a charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion in
February 2023.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Bossier City Police Department
and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell.

[Michael Zimmerman]

A DeSoto man who drugged young girls and then forced them into
commercial sex was convicted Wednesday evening of 15 counts related to
sex trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of
Texas Leigha Simonton.

Anjum Zafar Mian, 42, was charged via criminal complaint in December
2022 and indicted in March 2023. After two days of trial and an hour and
a half of deliberation, a jury convicted him Wednesday of two counts of
sex trafficking through force, fraud and coercion; two counts of
conspiracy to commit sex trafficking through force, fraud and coercion;
four counts of sex trafficking of a minor; three counts of conspiracy to
commit sex trafficking of a minor; two counts of sexual exploitation of
a child; one count of transporting a minor across state lines for
prostitution; and one count of interstate transportation for prostitution.

“This man threatened, beat, drugged, and raped these girls – mere
children – so that he could make money. That is the horrific truth of
human trafficking, and it’s happening in our backyard,” said U.S.
Attorney Leigha Simonton. “These victims are hiding in plain sight.
Please, if you suspect trafficking, reach out to law enforcement. The
Justice Department will not rest until the invisible chains of
trafficking are broken.”

“Successfully removing child predators from our communities is a
testament to the hard work and dedication of the North Texas Trafficking
Task Force,” said Lester R. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge HSI
Dallas. “During the trial, the courageous testimony of the minors abused
by this defendant ensured that he will account for his actions. Today’s
verdict stands as a strong message that HSI will never relent in the
pursuit of those who exploit children.“

According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Mian forced at least two
young girls – ages 16 and 17 – to engage in commercial sex by intimating
that he would harm their family if they did not comply.

He brought another 17 year old down from Oklahoma, would not allow her
to go back home when she asked, and made her engage in commercial sex.

He also attempted to traffick an adult woman from Oklahoma, who called
the police after he assaulted her.

The victims testified that Mr. Mian, who also went by the “AJ” and
“Dre,” used explicit photos of them to advertise their sexual service
online. He communicated with customers via TextNow and Google, then
plied the girls with drugs and alcohol, delivered them to customers, and
demanded they turn all proceeds over to him.

On multiple occasions, Mr. Mian raped them while they were unconscious,
victims testified.

Mr. Mian now faces up to life in federal prison. He is set to be
sentenced on Friday, Oct. 13 in Fort Worth.

The Arlington Police Department conducted the investigation in
conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Office
and with the assistance of the Dallas Police Department, DeSoto Police
Department, Fort Worth Police Department, and Texas Department of Public
Safety. This was a North Texas Trafficking Task Force case. Assistant
U.S. Attorneys Brandie Wade and Matthew Weybrecht are prosecuted. U.S.
District Judge Reed O’Connor presided over trial.

If you believe you or someone you know may be a victim of human
trafficking, call local law enforcement or the 24/7 confidential
National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Contact
Erin Dooley
Press Officer
214-659-8707
***@usdoj.gov

[Michael Zimmerman]

A darknet fentanyl dealer who used the moniker “Fent4U” was found guilty
yesterday of multiple drug crimes and possession of child pornography,
announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

After four days of trial and five hours of deliberation, a jury
convicted Sean Shaughnessy, 55, of conspiracy to possess with intent to
distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess with intent to
distribute a controlled substance analogue, distribution of controlled
substances, and possession of child pornography.

“Drug traffickers who think operating on the darknet will shield them
from prosecution should think again,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha
Simonton. “We will scour the darkest recesses of the internet to find
those dealing fentanyl, a drug that shatters lives and wrecks futures.
We are grateful to the many agents and officers – both in uniform and
undercover – that worked together to arrest Mr. Shaughnessy, and to the
jurors who thoughtfully weighed the evidence and voted to convict.”

“This drug dealer, who used the cloak of the dark web to peddle fentanyl
and other illicit drugs, is no longer in business thanks to the
investigative efforts and technological expertise of our agents and law
enforcement partners,” said Lester R. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge
of HSI Dallas. “Criminals who seek personal gain by trafficking illicit
drugs at the expense of victims in our communities cannot hide on the
dark web. Our team of special agents and criminal analysts will never
relent in our resolve to bring to justice those that seek financial gain
by selling this poison in our neighborhoods as we all work tirelessly as
a community to address drug addiction and fatal overdoses throughout the
country.”

According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Shaughnessy sold fentanyl,
carfentanil (a frequently abused elephant tranquilizer), pentedrone,
and fentanyl and pentedrone analogues over the dark web, an unindexed
portion of the internet accessible only via specialized software that
allows users to conduct transactions with relative anonymity. His buyers
purchased the drugs on dark web marketplaces using cryptocurrencies like
bitcoin, and Mr. Shaughnessy shipped the drugs to their addresses.

Multiple former customers testified at Mr. Shaughnessy’s trial, noting
the drugs Shaughnessy sold them, including fentanyl and its analogues,
arrived to their DFW are homes very quickly and were of high potency.

Just days after purchasing fentanyl analogues from Mr. Shaughnessy, one
of his customers, a young man in his 20s, died of an overdose involving
that substance.

An undercover Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent testified
about the undercover operation that identified Mr. Shaughnessy,
explaining that Mr. Shaughnessy directed tens of thousands of dollars of
his illicit drug proceeds to be sent to Mr. Shaughnessy in the Dallas area.

Another agent testified that during an interview with law enforcement,
Mr. Shaughnessy claimed that the agents would have to “check his taxes”
to determine what Mr. Shaughnessy did for a living. Agents contacted
the Internal Revenue Service, which indicated Mr. Shaughnessy had filed
no taxes for the relevant time periods.

In a video of his July 2016 arrest played for the jury, Mr. Shaughnessy,
with white powder visible around his nose, removed and dropped a baggie
of drugs from his pocket while officers were placing handcuffs on him,
and he then attempted to kick it out of officers’ view. When officers
noticed the baggie, the defendant insisted, “that ain’t mine,” though it
was plainly visible on the officers’ body-camera footage.

The defendant now faces up to 80 years in federal prison.

Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas and New York Field Offices
conducted the investigation in partnership with the U.S. Postal
Inspection Service, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, the Irving Police
Department, and the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office. Assistant
U.S. Attorneys Joe Magliolo, Gary Tromblay, Nicole Dana, and Jordan Ganz
are prosecuting the case. U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay presided
over the trial.

Contact
Erin Dooley
Press Officer
214-659-8707
***@usdoj.gov

[Michael Zimmerman]

A fentanyl trafficker responsible for distributing thousands of
counterfeit pills across north Texas pleaded guilty today to federal
drug charges, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas
Leigha Simonton.

Stephen Paul Brinson, aka “Steve-O,” 18, was charged in March. He
pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to possess with intent to
distribute a Schedule II controlled substance (fentanyl) before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez.

In plea papers, Mr. Brinson admitted he dealt fentanyl-laced counterfeit
pills out of a home in Flower Mound.

He used an Instagram account to facilitate the sale of the round blue
pills, which were imprinted “M/30” to resemble legitimate 30mg oxycodone
pills.

According to court documents, Mr. Brinson acted as the source of
supply for fentanyl to Donovan Jude Andrews, the Carrollton dealer who
allegedly capitalized on the arrest of Luis Navarrete and Magaly Cano to
advertise his pill business. (Mr. Andrews is allegedly tied to at least
one juvenile fentanyl overdose – that of a 14-year-old girl who paid her
dealer through CashApp; Mr. Navarrete and Ms. Cano, along with their
supplier, Jason Villanueva, are allegedly tied to more than ten others.)

During a search of Mr. Brinson’s residence, law enforcement recovered
approximately 1,800 fentanyl-laced pills along with cocaine, marijuana,
and two firearms.

In plea papers, he admitted that at the time of the search, he was armed
and en route to deliver an M/30 pill to a customer in Flower Mound.

Mr. Brinson is the second defendant charged in the wake of the
Carrollton / Flower Mound juvenile overdoses to enter a guilty plea.
Magaly Cano, 29, pleaded guilty earlier this month. Six other defendants
– including Mr. Andrews, Mr. Villanueva, and Mr. Navarrete – have been
charged but not yet convicted. (All are presumed innocent until proven
guilty in a court of law.)

Mr. Brinson now faces up to 40 years in federal prison.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division and the
Carrollton Police Department conducted the investigation with the
assistance of School Resource Officers from the Carrollton – Farmer’s
Branch Independent School District and the Lewisville Independent School
District. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phelesa Guy and Rick Calvert are
prosecuting the case.

Note: Illicitly produced, fentanyl-laced pills often look similar to
legitimate prescription pills like Oxycontin or Percocet, but can pose
significantly more danger. On the street, these pills are often referred
to as “M30s” (a reference to the markings on some of the pills),
“blues,” “perks,” “yerks,” “china girls,” or “TNT.” DEA research shows
that six out of ten pills laced with fentanyl contain a potentially
lethal dose. One pill can kill. For resources, visit
https://www.dea.gov/onepill.

Contact
Erin Dooley
Press Officer
214-569-8707
***@usdoj.gov

[Michael Zimmerman]

A Fort Worth drug trafficker with eight firearms – including one stolen
from Tarrant County law enforcement – was sentenced to 10 years in
federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of
Texas Leigha Simonton.

Juan Carlos Perez, 20, was charged in November 2022. He pleaded guilty
in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
controlled substances and was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge
Reed C. O’Connor.

In plea papers, Mr. Perez admitted he conspired to deal methamphetamine,
including methamphetamine-laced counterfeit pills.

According to court documents, law enforcement recovered eight firearms,
including two AM-15s and two 9mm Glock pistols, from Mr. Perez’s
apartment. One of the Glock pistols had previously been reported stolen
from a Tarrant County Detention Officer.

On his phone, law enforcement discovered multiple photos and videos of
firearms, narcotics, and large quantities U.S. currency.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field
Office and the Fort Worth Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas prosecuted the case.

Contact
Erin Dooley
Press Officer
214-659-8707
***@usdoj.gov

[Michael Zimmerman]

A major drug trafficker linked to a string of juvenile fentanyl
overdoses in north Texas pleaded guilty today to multiple drug crimes,
announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Jason Xavier Villanueva, 22, was charged via criminal complaint in
February and indicted later that same month. On Tuesday, he pleaded
guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and
distribution of fentanyl to a person under 21 years of age.

“Over and over, Mr. Villanueva put poison into the hands of teenagers
who could not possibly comprehend the inherent risks. Not even the news
of multiple teenage deaths deterred this defendant,” said U.S. Attorney
Leigha Simonton. “The Justice Department will not rest until every
person who peddled pills to these children, directly or indirectly, is
behind bars. We have seen these kids’ faces – vibrant in life,
heartrending in death – and we will not forget.”

“The men and women of the DEA Dallas are pleased Mr. Villanueva has pled
guilty and will answer for the crimes he has committed,” said Special
Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez. “Unfortunately we cannot undo the
damage already done to our community, but we can use this to prove once
again that drug trafficking cannot be tolerated and we must all stand
together to rid our communities of the dangers of illicit drugs like
fentanyl.”

In plea papers, Mr. Villanueva admitted he distributed more than 200,000
fentanyl pills to north Texas customers over the course of five or six
months, at a rate of about 40,000 pills per month. He sold the pills –
round blue tablets marked M-30 – to a network of juvenile and adult
dealers in Carrollton, who went on to sell to friends, classmates, and
other customers. He often advertised on Instagram.

Mr. Villanueva, through his lower-level dealers, is tied to as many as
ten overdoses of nine teenagers in the Carrollton Farmer’s Branch
Independent School District. The victims, all middle and high school
students, ranged in age from 13 to 17.

Following the arrest of two of these lower-level dealers – Eduardo
Navarrete and Magaly Cano – Mr. Villanueva posted on social media,
“Only thing that’s gonna stop us is feds.”

Mr. Villanueva is the third defendant charged in the wake of the
Carrollton / Flower Mound juvenile overdoses to enter a guilty plea.
Magaly Cano and Stephen Paul Brinson pleaded guilty last month; five
other defendants, including Mr. Navarrete, have been charged but not yet
convicted. (All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of
law.)

Mr. Villanueva now faces up to 40 years in federal prison. His
sentencing is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Office and the
Carrollton Police Department conducted the investigation with the
assistance of School Resource Officers from the Carrollton – Farmer’s
Branch Independent School District and the Lewisville Independent School
District. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Calvert and Phelesa Guy are
prosecuting the case.

Note: Illicitly produced, fentanyl-laced pills often look similar to
legitimate prescription pills like Oxycontin or Percocet, but can pose
significantly more danger. On the street, these pills are often referred
to as “M30s” (a reference to the markings on some of the pills),
“blues,” “perks,” “yerks,” “china girls,” or “TNT.” DEA research shows
that six out of ten pills laced with fentanyl contain a potentially
lethal dose. One pill can kill. For resources, visit
https://www.dea.gov/onepill.



Contact
Erin Dooley
Press Officer
214-659-8707
***@usdoj.gov

[Michael Zimmerman]

A fentanyl dealer tied to the death of a 16-year-old boy was sentenced
this week to 12 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the
Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Eric Aden Herrera, 20, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to distribution
of controlled substances to a person under 21. He was sentenced Tuesday
by Senior U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means.

“Fentanyl, which is often hidden inside more innocuous-looking
counterfeit pills, can snuff out a life in an instant,” said U.S.
Attorney Leigha Simonton. “This defendant claimed he was too afraid to
try these pills himself, yet he was willing to sell them to an
unsuspecting teenager. We must ensure our teens understand that drug
dealers will resort to unscrupulous behavior in order to make a buck,
and that unless prescribed by a doctor, no pill is safe. The Justice
Department will not rest until fentanyl is no longer being sold on our
streets.”

“Dealing and purchasing pills on the streets, regardless of what they
‘might’ look like, must stop,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in
Charge of DEA Fort Worth. “Illicit fentanyl has made its way into every
one of our neighborhoods and you cannot take a chance. The consequences
are real. While we cannot heal the damage already done to the victim’s
family, we can continue to hold those like Mr. Herrera, and all others,
accountable for the devastation selling drugs cause.”

According to plea papers, Mr. Herrera admitted he knowingly distributed
counterfeit Percocet pills laced with fentanyl to a victim identified in
the complaint as L.W.

He arranged the sale via Snapchat and then met the victim outside his
girlfriend’s house to make the exchange.

Shortly after purchasing the pills, L.W. ingested two of them and
fatally overdosed. His friend found him unresponsive in bed and called
911. An autopsy revealed L.W. died of acute fentanyl toxicity.

In an interview with law enforcement, Mr. Herrera admitted he sold pills
to L.W.

He said that after he got the pills from his dealer, he considered
breaking one in half to try it with his girlfriend, but decided not to
because he didn’t know about how they were made and was too scared to
take them himself.

A review of Mr. Herrera’s Snapchat history confirmed that he offered to
sell L.W. Percocet and directed him to Mr. Herrera’s girlfriend’s street.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division and the Fort
Worth Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from
the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney
Brandie Wade prosecuted the case.

Note: Illicitly produced, fentanyl-laced pills often look similar to
legitimate prescription pills like Oxycontin or Percocet, but can pose
significantly more danger. On the street, these pills are often referred
to as “M30s” (a reference to the markings on some of the pills),
“blues,” “perks,” “yerks,” “china girls,” or “TNT.” DEA research shows
that six out of ten pills laced with fentanyl contain a potentially
lethal dose. One pill can kill. For resources, visit
https://www.dea.gov/onepill.

Contact
Erin Dooley
Press Officer
214-659-8707
***@usdoj.gov

[Michael Zimmerman]

Motel Manager Pleads Guilty to Coercing Labor and Sex Acts by Female Victim
A hotel manager in Georgia pleaded guilty today to trafficking with
respect to peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude or forced labor.

According to court documents, Shreesh Tiwari, 70, an Indian national and
legal U.S. permanent resident, began managing the Budgetel Motel in
Cartersville, Georgia, in 2020. Tiwari hired the victim to work as a
house cleaner at the motel. Tiwari knew that, prior to arriving at the
Budgetel, the victim had experienced homelessness, struggled with a
heroin addiction and lost custody of her young child. Tiwari promised
the victim that he would help her regain custody of her child by
providing her with pay, an apartment, and an attorney.

Instead of following through with his promises, Tiwari monitored the
victim’s interactions with motel guests and employees and forbade her
from speaking to them. Tiwari also made numerous sexual overtures to the
victim. When Tiwari became angry at the victim, he threatened to evict
her from the room he offered her at the Budgetel, knowing that she would
become homeless as a result. Tiwari also threatened to report the
victim’s drug use to law enforcement or child welfare agencies whenever
he was angry at her. Eventually, Tiwari began to regularly “evict” the
victim from her motel room, and even locked her out of her room at night
without warning. Tiwari later required the victim to perform oral sex on
him to stay at the motel. If she did not, Tiwari removed her from the
property, causing her to be homeless.

“Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime in which traffickers
specifically identify and target the most vulnerable members of our
society, often using fraudulent promises to offer hope to someone in
need,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice
Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This conviction demonstrates that
the Justice Department is committed to prosecuting motel operators and
other landlords who misuse and abuse their position of power over
tenants to compel them to engage in commercial sex acts.”

“Victims of sex trafficking crimes are some of the most vulnerable
individuals in our communities and they are targeted by traffickers as a
result,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District
of Georgia. “We refuse to tolerate human trafficking of any kind and
this conviction reinforces our commitment to protecting all victims of
crime in our community – regardless of their status.”

“Prosecuting human traffickers and rescuing human trafficking victims is
a top priority of this office and the Department of Homeland Security,”
said Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard of the Homeland
Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta Field Office. “This guilty plea
highlights that commitment and serves as a warning to other predators
that law enforcement is determined to find, arrest and punish those
involved in this heinous crime.”

Sentencing is set for Sept. 6. Tiwari faces a maximum penalty of up to
20 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea
agreement, Tiwari agreed to pay slightly over $40,000 in mandatory
restitution to the victims of offense. A federal judge will determine
any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory
factors.

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Buchanan and Acting
Special Agent in Charge Pickard made the announcement.

The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations
Dalton Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Georgia
Bureau of Investigation and the Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leanne Marek and Annalise Peters for the
Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Kate Hill of the Justice
Department’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that
information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at
1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information about human trafficking, please visit
www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Department of
Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at
www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

Topic(s):
Civil Rights
Human Trafficking
Component(s):
Civil Rights Division
Civil Rights - Criminal Section
Press Release Number:
23-623

[Michael Zimmerman]

Louisiana Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Conspiracy to Commit Forced
Labor and Transporting a Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity
A Louisiana man was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for conspiracy
to commit forced labor and transporting a minor with intent to engage in
criminal sexual activity. The defendant was also required to pay
restitution of $979,800 to the victims.

Between June 2016 and May 2019, Darnell Fulton, 39, of Pineville, used
violence, sexual abuse, withholding of food, degradation and
intimidation to coerce multiple minors to work for his brownie baking
business and provide him the profits. The defendant required the victims
to travel to as many as 20 to 30 locations a day, such as plazas, car
dealerships, law firms, restaurants and parking lots, to sell brownies.
The victims worked late into the night either selling or baking the
brownies and sold them during the day. In fact, the victims typically
worked seven days a week with very few breaks and had to meet a daily
sales quota the defendant set. The defendant regularly assaulted the
victims because he was not satisfied with their daily work performance,
especially if they did not meet his projected sales daily quota. For
example, the defendant frequently required the victims to stay in a push
up or plank position for hours, and he often whipped them with a belt if
they got out of proper form. The defendant also made the minor victims
perform sexual acts with him and transported them across state lines to
engage in criminal sexual activity with him.

“Forced labor, especially when it involves sexual abuse of children,
violence, and mental and physical anguish, is heinous conduct that has
no place in our society today. The defendant mercilessly exploited
children for his own financial gain and personal gratification, and we
will not tolerate it,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of
the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This sentence
demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to standing up for the
survivors of forced labor schemes. We will not only pursue and prosecute
human and child traffickers, but also seek restitution and use those
funds to help survivors rebuild and reclaim their lives.”

“The defendant’s actions in this case were deplorable and despicable,”
said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of
Louisiana. “Forced labor is a form of modern day slavery and we have a
duty to protect the most vulnerable of our society. He had no hesitation
in torturing and demoralizing these victims, his own children. We are
grateful for this sentence and hope that the victims can begin the
healing process. This defendant is a danger to society, has no regard
for human life, and we believe it is appropriate that he will be
spending a long time in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.”

“Mr. Fulton’s guilty plea and the sentencing today should be of great
comfort to the victims of his depravity,” said Special Agent in Charge
Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “We thank
our partners, the Alexandria Police Department, United States Attorney’s
Office for the Western District of Louisiana and the Justice
Department’s Civil Rights Division for their assistance in this case. We
will continue the work of rooting out those who seek to target minors
for their own bizarre obsessions.”

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Brown and Special Agent
in Charge Williams made the announcement.

The FBI New Orleans Field Office investigated the case, with assistance
from the Alexandria Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker for the Western District of
Louisiana and Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky of the Civil Rights
Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that
information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at
1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information about human trafficking, please visit
www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s
efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at
https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

[Michael Zimmerman]

CINCINNATI – Federal agents arrested a Cincinnati man today on charges
alleging he sexually trafficked and exploited two teenage girls.

Kelly Richards, 42, appeared in federal court in Cincinnati at 1:30pm
today. His case was unsealed at that time.

Richards is also known as “Scorpio” and has a tattoo of a scorpion on
the left side of his face.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint,
investigators were alerted in March 2023 that two juveniles had been
screened as potential sex trafficking victims.

It is alleged that Richards picked up two minor victims who had fled a
group home in Dayton and drove them to an apartment complex in
Cincinnati. At the apartment, Richards allegedly provided the minors
with cocaine before sexually assaulting them.

Richards also allegedly enticed the females into having sex with other
men for money that was paid to Richards. It is alleged the defendant
created prostitution advertisements online with explicit pictures of the
minor victims and used physical violence against them. According to the
affidavit, one victim was prostituted up to four times per day in hotels
and homes.

Sexually exploiting children is a federal crime punishable by a range of
15 to 30 years in prison. Sex trafficking children carries a potential
penalty of at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of
Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and other members of the FBI’s
Anti-Trafficking Task Force announced the charges. Assistant United
States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this
case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are
presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

[Michael Zimmerman]

Georgia Couple Charged with Labor Trafficking Conspiracy, Forced Labor
and Alien Smuggling
A 16-count indictment was unsealed today charging a Georgia husband and
wife with conspiring to commit labor trafficking, in addition to forced
labor and alien smuggling, in connection with their operation of two
Mexican restaurants, Sabor A Mexico at 805 Floy Farr Parkway,
Fayetteville, Georgia, and Sabor A Mexico at 7860B Ella Lane, Fairburn,
Georgia.

According to the indictment, between March 2021 and October 2022, Efrain
Gonzalez, 40, and Estella Gonzalez, 34, both of Peachtree City,
conspired to commit labor trafficking. The indictment alleges that the
couple used force, threats of force, coercion and abuse of law and legal
process to compel victims to engage in forced labor. The indictment
further alleges that the couple engaged in alien smuggling for
commercial gain, alleging five counts of alien smuggling against Efrain
Gonzalez and one count against Estella Gonzalez.

The charge of forced labor carries a maximum of 20 years in prison, up
to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A
federal district court judge will determine any sentence after
considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s
Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern
District of Georgia, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Picknard
of HSI Atlanta made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters and Trial Attorney Kate Hill of
the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are
prosecuting the case.

Anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of this case or may
have relevant information to share is asked to call the HSI tip line at
866-DHS-2423.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call
the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

[Michael Zimmerman]

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 12, 2023

SAN DIEGO – Ashton Jordan was sentenced in federal court today to 108
months in prison for transporting a woman from Nevada to Arizona to
California in order to cause her to engage in prostitution.

Jordan was arrested in Arizona in November 2021 on sex trafficking
charges following his indictment by a federal grand jury. He first came
to the attention of law enforcement in July 2021 when the victim escaped
from Jordan at a hotel in downtown San Diego. She reported at the time
that Jordan had used violence against her to cause her to stay with him
and prostitute herself for his financial benefit. Jordan was on
probation at the time of his offense.

Jordan pleaded guilty in November 2022. In his plea agreement, Jordan
admitted that he brought the victim to San Diego with the intent that
she would be engaging in prostitution. During the time that Jordan was
with the victim, he further admitted that he was physically violent with
her on multiple occasions in order to cause her to engage in prostitution.

“I applaud the bravery of this victim,” said U.S. Attorney Randy
Grossman. “The defendant’s reprehensible actions have forever impacted
her life, and for that he will pay a high price. We will never relent in
our pursuit of justice for victims.” Grossman thanked the prosecution
team and the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force for their excellent
work on this case.

“Human trafficking and sexual exploitation destroy lives,” said
California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s sentencing is another
example of our commitment to hold perpetrators accountable and help
survivors get a fresh start. I’m thankful to all of our partners on the
San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force for their collaboration and I’m
proud of our office’s work to help uplift vulnerable Californians. When
we work together, we get results. At the California Department of
Justice, we’re always ready to answer the call when it comes to standing
up for public safety.”

“Jordan preyed on, manipulated, and exploited his victim for his own
financial gain—he showed zero regard for human life,” said Acting
Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “Sex trafficking happens every
day, and it often occurs in plain sight. When you see something that
doesn’t feel right, report it to law enforcement. FBI San Diego will
continue to collaborate with our partners at every level to hold
accountable all who believe a living being can be reduced to a dollar
amount.”

Jordan has been detained in custody since his arrest in November 2021.

At the sentencing hearing today, U.S. District Court Judge Dana M.
Sabraw not only imposed the 108-month prison sentence, but also ordered
Jordan to serve 10 years of supervised release following his release
from custody.

DEFENDANTS Case Number
22cr2649-DMS

Ashton Tylon Amir Jordan Age: 28
Phoenix, AZ

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2421

Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine

AGENCY

San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, which consists of:

Federal Bureau of Investigation

California Department of Justice

California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation – Parole

California Highway Patrol

ICE/Homeland Security Investigations

National City Police Department

San Diego City Attorney’s Office

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

San Diego County Probation Department

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

San Diego Police Department

United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California

Contact
Assistant U. S. Attorney Katherine McGrath [phone] and Jill
Streja [phone]