RICHMOND, VA—Dwane Washington, 32, of
Memphis, Tennesee, was arrested today, accused of assisting a 14-year-old
runaway from Baltimore, Maryland to engage in prostitution throughout multiple
states.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney
for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Michael F. A. Morehart, Special Agent
in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after the
arrest was made public.
“We have a zero-tolerance, one-strike
policy toward juvenile sex trafficking in this District,” said U.S. Attorney
MacBride. “Anyone we find who aids, entices or forces a young girl into the
vile world of prostitution will pay a very heavy price for their actions.”
“The Richmond FBI Office, in conjunction
with our local and state partners, has developed several initiatives to combat
the very serious and emerging trend of juveniles being forced into
prostitution,” said FBI SAC Morehart. “The FBI will vigorously investigate all
matters relating to human trafficking and juvenile prostitution. The FBI and
the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to safeguarding our children.”
Washington was charged by criminal
complaint with interstate transportation of a minor for purposes of
prostitution, which carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum
penalty of life in prison, if convicted.
According to an affidavit filed with the
criminal complaint, Washington allegedly met the teen girl in Laurel, Maryland
in March 2012 after responding to an advertisement the teen had placed on
Backpage.com soliciting clients to engage in commercial sex acts. Following
their encounter, Washington is alleged to have assisted the teen girl
prostitute herself in various states, including Alabama, Tennessee, and
Virginia.
The affidavit states that the runaway
was identified by law enforcement to be in Richmond on April 25, 2012 and was
soliciting clients through an advertisement on Backpage.com. An undercover
agent allegedly made contact with the teen and set up a meeting at a hotel in
the 6300 block of Midlothian Turnpike. Washington was allegedly seen leaving
the area of the hotel as the undercover agent approached for his appointment.
According to the affidavit, the teen,
after being confronted by law enforcement, alleged that she had engaged in
sexual intercourse in numerous occasions with Washington, that he had beaten
and choked her, that she provided all of her prostitution earnings to
Washington, and that he was fully aware that all of her money came from
prostitution.
This case was investigated by FBI’s
Richmond Field Office, with assistance from the Henrico Police Department, the
Richmond Police Department, the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, and the Maryland
State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Wu is prosecuting the
case on behalf of the United States.
Criminal complaints are only charges and
not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless
proven guilty.
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