Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Rasheed Davis, of the Bronx, pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court for his role in the sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl (the “Victim”) for profit. In May 2010, Davis arranged for the Victim to engage in sex acts with an adult male individual (the “Client”) in exchange for $300. Davis, 37, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Naomi R. Buchwald.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Rasheed Davis forced an underage girl to perform sex acts for money, but now he is the one who will have to pay. Sex trafficking of minors affects children and women in our own communities, not just in faraway lands. This office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively prosecute individuals who exploit the young and vulnerable for a profit.”
According to the information to which Davis pled guilty, documents previously filed in Manhattan federal court, statements made during the guilty plea proceeding, and other information in the public record:
In April 2010, Davis offered the Victim, who was 16 years old at the time, a place to live for approximately $150 per week (the “Premises”). On one or more occasions, he gave the Victim narcotics, including Ecstasy and marijuana, to induce the Victim to engage in commercial sex acts. On May 5, 2010, Davis sent the Victim one or more text messages telling her that he wanted her to engage in a commercial sex act that night with the Client, who would pay $300 in cash. The Victim refused, leading Davis to send her threatening and intimidating text messages. Later that day, when the Victim returned to the Premises, Davis physically assaulted her in an effort to force her to participate in a commercial sex act with the Client. Davis then drove the Victim to a hotel outside of New York City, where she engaged in one or more commercial sex acts with the Client while Davis waited outside in a vehicle.
The Client paid the Victim $300 in cash, which she turned over to Davis. During the evening of May 5, 2010, and into the morning of May 6, 2010, the Victim sent text messages to a relative in an effort to get help. Davis was later arrested in his car by the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) as he was driving with the Victim in the Bronx. At the time of his arrest, Davis had in his possession the name and address of the hotel where he had arranged for the Client and the Victim to meet, and a hotel room number. Following a search of Davis’ car, law enforcement officers found, among other things, approximately $300 in cash.
On May 6, 2010, the Client was arrested by the Town of Ramapo Police Department. The Client subsequently pled guilty in New York State court to sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute.
DAVIS pled guilty to one count of inducing the interstate travel of another for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct for financial gain. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Davis also admitted to forfeiture allegations requiring him to forfeit any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained by the defendant directly or indirectly as a result of the offense, and any property used in the commission of the offense. He will be sentenced by Judge Buchwald on August 10, 2011, at 3:45 p.m.
Mr. Bharara praised the work of the FBI and the NYPD. Mr. Bharara also thanked the Town of Ramapo Police Department for their assistance.
This case is being prosecuted by the Complex Frauds Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Kramer is in charge of the prosecution.
