Three defendants made initial appearances in federal court Tuesday after being charged with the sex trafficking of children, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Dominique Laron Morgan, 25, of Tulsa; Rontaysha Leann Cox, 26, of Wichita, Kansas; and Treveon Marquise Cato, 22, of Tulsa, were charged in an August indictment, which was unsealed yesterday after their initial appearances.
The trio allegedly recruited, enticed, harbored, and advertised a minor to participate in sexual activity, profiting from her exploitation. Advertisements for the teenager were discovered on a website promoting prostitution and soliciting sex acts in exchange for money.
“The targeted trafficking and exploitation of minors is despicable. I am dismayed that our community continues to see child sex trafficking ventures in operation, and I am sickened that there is a customer-base for such a venture to even exist. We must target the supply and demand,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “My office will do everything we can to protect our children from harm and exploitation. We will do so in partnership with agencies like the Tulsa Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations, who are indispensable in these types of investigations.”
Two of the defendants face additional charges. Morgan is further charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Cox is also charged with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
The Tulsa Police Department Vice-Human Trafficking Unit, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Snow is prosecuting the case.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment