2 sentenced for role in gang-run juvenile sex trafficking scheme

SAN DIEGO – Two defendants who previously pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a multi-agency probe into a gang-run sex trafficking scheme involving underage girls have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison. .

Malcolm Jamal Allen was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Anello. Allen pleaded guilty in August 2010 to sex trafficking of children by force, fraud and coercion. In addition to the 10-year prison term, Judge Anello also sentenced Allen to five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.

The second defendant, Devon Leontae Sutton, received a 120-month prison term followed by three years of supervised release. Sutton pleaded guilty Sept. 29 to using a corrupt enterprise to conduct a pattern of racketeering activity, namely, prostitution of minors and adults, use of facilities of interstate commerce to promote prostitution, drug trafficking and other gang-related crimes.

The charges are the result of "Operation Vice Grip," an 18-month investigation spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oceanside Police Department and the Escondido Police Department. In addition, the following agencies provided substantial assistance with the investigation - the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Carlsbad Police Department; the North County Gang Task Force; the Riverside County Sheriff's Department - Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team; and the San Diego County Jurisdictions United for Drug and Gang Enforcement (JUDGE) Task Force.

Operation Vice Grip focused on prostitution activities orchestrated by members and associates of the Oceanside Crips street gang. According to court documents, in recent years this street gang has focused its for-profit criminal activity on promoting and managing prostitution in San Diego County and throughout the United States. The gang-controlled prostitution spawned a "pimping" subculture that enforced strict rules with consequences for individuals who violated them.

In addition to Sutton and Allen, six other defendants in the case have pleaded guilty - Lindsey Clemmons, Adam Cassanova Anderson, Regta Inocencio Villareal, Michael David Washington, Leo Allen Sutton and Deonte Marquis Lenin. They are awaiting sentencing. The remaining defendants are pending trial, currently set for May 9, 2012.