Savannah Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Role In Forcing Children To Engage In Prostitution

Savannah, GA – Jeremy Grant, 26, from Savannah, was sentenced last Friday by Chief United States District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to life in prison for his role in a conspiracy to engage in the sex trafficking of minors.  Grant’s life sentence means that he will spend the remainder of his life in prison; there is no parole in the federal system.    

During the guilty plea and sentencing hearings, the evidence showed that between at least June of 2014 and January of 2015, Grant recruited vulnerable and financially destitute minors by offering them food and shelter.  Grant then forced the minors to engage in sex acts for money, which he kept.  Grant took pictures of the minors, used on-line social media sites to advertise the minors, and transported the minors to various hotels to engage in commercial sex acts.  The evidence further showed that Grant physically abused some of the minors, raped them, and threatened to kill their families if they did not engage in prostitution.  While sentencing Grant to life in prison, Judge Wood remarked that Grant’s conduct was “soul sapping” and that Grant committed “almost unfathomable actions towards human beings.”     

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “This defendant stole the childhood and innocence from his victims and made their lives a living hell.  He turned our most vulnerable and precious citizens into sex slaves and sold them for money, over and over again.  Let me be absolutely clear: anyone who abuses children for their depraved sexual and financial enjoyment will be brought to justice and can expect to spend the rest of their life in prison.” 

The investigation of this case was conducted by the FBI, the Pooler Police Department and Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD).  Anyone who suspects instances of child sexual exploitation is encouraged to call 1-800-843-5678, which is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. 

Assistant United States Attorneys Tania D. Groover and Carlton R. Bourne prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.  For additional questions, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.