Woodbury Man Indicted Under the Mann Act for Transporting a Woman Across State Lines for Prostitution

A federal indictment unsealed earlier today in the District of Minnesota alleges that a 51- year-old Woodbury man transported a woman from Minnesota to Wisconsin for the purpose of having her engage in prostitution. Stevon Warren was specifically charged under the federal Mann Act with one count of interstate transportation to engage in prostitution. The indictment, originally filed on October 5, 2010, was unsealed following Warren’s initial appearance yesterday in federal court.

Allegedly, between November of 2008, and March 18, 2009, Warren knowingly transported the woman across state lines with the intent of having her engage in prostitution. Police learned of Warren’s activities through advertisements on Craigslist, the online auction site.

If convicted, Warren faces a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.