Authorities in a sex sting operation have arrested a dozen persons and charged them with sex crimes which involve child sex trafficking in the Galveston area.
The U.S. Department of Justice says the defendants — three women and nine men — reportedly forced minors into sex trafficking and child pornography. The 12 defendants are accused of employing sex-oriented websites to use minors as young as 16 years old to engage in sex-for-pay.
Each of the defendants is charged with sex trafficking of children, conspiracy to traffic children for commercialized sex and sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion.
Combined Law Enforcement Efforts
The defendants were arrested as part of the combined efforts of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Conducting the investigation was the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, which includes members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Houston Police Department and the FBI.
Also assisting were many Texas sheriff’s offices, the Texas Attorney General’s Office, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of State and the IRS.
Defendants in East Texas Sex Sting
According to the Houston Chronicle, defendants in the Galveston-area sex sting range in age from 18 to 35 years old, and reside in Angleton Sweeney, Rosharon, Wharton, Brazoria, Sherman, Beaumont, Freeport and Houston.
Two defendants were already in state custody on unrelated charges, and three others suspects in the sex sting should appear soon in a Galveston court. Another defendant was already in federal custody on similar charges.
This comprehensive report examines hard facts and data surrounding human trafficking and exploitation.
Sex Charges Can Carry Steep Penalties
Each suspect, if convicted of the sex charges, could face a sentence as steep as life in prison. The charges also carry a fine of up to $250,000.
Two of the defendants face a penalty of up to life in prison for firearms offenses. Two more face as many as five years in prison for using an interstate facility to promote sex trafficking of children, while others face an extra 30 years in prison for child pornography charges.
How a Houston Sex Crime Lawyer Can Help
If someone in your family faces such charges and needs a sex crime defense attorney, you have come to the right place. Your attorney can be Neal Davis.
The Neal Davis Law Firm has succeeded in getting charges reduced or dismissed for many defendants. Contact The Neal Davis Law Firm today for a confidential legal review of your case.
