Accused Sex Trafficker From Madison Facing Federal Charges

MADISON (WKOW) -- Alleged sex trafficking led to federal charges for a man from Madison.

Authorities say 36-year-old Erin Graham, Jr. took two women from Wisconsin to Virginia and forced them into prostitution in June of 2016.

KBJR6 reports

22-Year-Old Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking

March 26, 2018 06:04 PM

A 22-year-old man has been convicted of two counts of sex trafficking, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced Monday.

According to a release, Lee Edward Smith Jr. was found guilty by a jury Friday and sentenced to terms of nine and 20 years, to be served concurrently.

The criminal complaint stated a Minneapolis police investigator came across a woman being advertised for sex in August of last year on Backpage.com. After calling that number, the investigator was allegedly directed to go to the 3600 block of Nicollet Avenue.

The investigator then reportedly set up in a place where he could survey the building and contacted the phone number. He said he saw a woman come out of the building, and when she didn't see anyone, she texted the investigator and admitted she was the woman he was seeking.

Read more from KSTP ABC5 Eyewitness News

Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking Shot And Killed By Federal Agent In Scottsdale, Police Say

Scottsdale police are investigating after a federal agent shot and killed a suspect who was recently convicted of sex trafficking Friday morning in the parking lot of a shopping center near the Loop 101 and Shea Boulevard.

“The shooting involved federal agents and a male subject,” Sgt. Ben Hoster with the Scottsdale Police Dept. said in an email. “The male subject is deceased. No other injuries reported.”

Sgt. Hoster said those agents are with the Department of Homeland Security.

Hoster said the suspect has been identified as 48-year-old Erik Dunham who was recently convicted of human trafficking and failed to appear for his sentencing.

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No Bail For Ex-Death Row Inmate Charged With Sex Trafficking

HONOLULU –  An exonerated death row inmate from Delaware was ordered held without bail Wednesday on a sex trafficking charge in Hawaii.

Isaiah McCoy used force, threats and coercion on young women to make them participate in prostitution, U.S. prosecutors alleged. He needs to be locked up so other victims can safely come forward, Assistant U.S. Attorney Morgan Early said at Wednesday's detention hearing in Honolulu. He's a danger to the community and to witnesses, she said.

"The nature of the charge involves threats, it involves violence," she said.

FoxNews reports

Del Valle Man Charged With Sex Trafficking Of A Child Arrested In Austin

The U.S. Marshals Service announced Monday that a task force arrested a 51-year-old Del Valle man in Austin who has been charged in Comal County with sex trafficking of a child.

The Lone Star Fugitive Task force arrested James Aaron Lenox without incident in the 10200 block of FM 812.

Monday’s arrest was not the first time the task force has arrested Lenox. Authorities previously picked him up after he was charged with possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Austin Statesman reports

Sparta Man Convicted On Sex, Drug Charges

MADISON — A Sparta man was convicted Friday of sex trafficking, assault, gun and drug offenses after a four-day trial in federal court.

Jurors deliberated nearly 10 hours before finding Monta Groce, 30, guilty of recruiting three women to engage in prostitution, maintaining a drug house and using a gun in connection with a drug offense.

Groce faces 15 years to life in prison at an Oct. 19 sentencing before District Judge William Conley.

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