D.C. Human Trafficking Task Force

The D.C. Human Trafficking Task Force was formed in 2004 to increase the prosecution of traffickers while identifying and serving the victims of this horrific crime. In 2004, the Task Force became one of 42 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) trafficking grant recipients. Link to grant announcement:

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/archives/pressreleases/2004/DOJ04760.htm

The Four Main Task Force Goals

- To facilitate a more coordinated anti-trafficking effort in the D.C. area through protocol development, extensive community outreach, proactive investigations, law enforcement training, intelligence sharing, and more formalized partnerships between law enforcement organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
- To identify citizen, resident and transnational victims of both sex and labor trafficking.
- To provide comprehensive services to trafficking victims.
- To increase the prosecution of traffickers.

Trafficking Is

Task Force Membership

Membership is open to any D.C. metropolitan area law enforcement agency or non-governmental organization involved in anti-trafficking activities. Below is a list of active members with a link to their website:

Law Enforcement

U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/trafficking.html

D.C. Office of the Attorney General
http://occ.dc.gov/occ/site/default.asp

Federal Bureau of Investigation
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/slavery.htm

U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement
http://www.ice.gov/pi/investigations/publicsafety/humantrafficking.htm

U.S. Department of Labor
http://www.dol.gov/ilab/programs/OCFT/

Non-Governmental Organizations

African Tourism Organization
http://www.african-tourism.org/

Ayuda
http://www.ayudainc.org/pages/page.cfm?id=1

Beat People SoS
http://bpsos.wordpress.com/

Break the Chain Campaign
http://btcc.ips-dc.org/

Bridge to Freedom Foundation
http://www.bridgetofreedomfoundation.org/

Casa De Maryland
http://www.casademaryland.org/

Courtney's House
http://www.courtneyshouse.org/default.html

FAIR Fund
http://www.fairfund.org/

HIPS
http://www.hips.org/

Innocents At Risk
http://www.innocentsatrisk.org/

Latin American Youth Center
http://www.layc-dc.org/

Polaris Project
http://www.polarisproject.org/

Prevent Human Trafficking
http://preventhumantrafficking.org/

Restoration Ministries
http://www.restorationministriesdc.org/

Sasha Bruce Youthwork
http://www.sashabruce.org/

Shared Hope International
http://www.sharedhope.org/

Stop Modern Slavery
http://www.stopmodernslavery.org

Tahirih Justice Center
http://www.tahirih.org/

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.usccb.org/

Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc.
http://www.weaveincorp.org/

Representative D.C. Prosecutions

On June 1, 2009, Jermaine Moore pled guilty to two –counts of transporting 15 and 17 year-old girls across state lines for the purpose of prostitution.  He faces a likely sentence of between 151 and 188 months in prison at his sentencing hearing scheduled for September 11, 2009.  Full press release:
http://washingtondc.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/wfo060109a.htm

On Dec. 3, 2003, Carlos Curtis was indicted on charges of transporting minors from New York and Maryland to engage in prostitution in Washington, DC. Curtis was indicted for violating numerous federal statutes including sex trafficking of children, transportation of minors, transportation for illegal sexual activity, and materials involving the sexual exploitation of children. Guilty pleas were obtained for associates Michael Goodwin for two counts of Pandering, and Janet Rodriguez for one count of pandering. On July 22, 2004, Goodwin was sentenced to 36 months. On Sept. 6, 2004, Rodriguez was sentenced to 36 months. On July 2, 2004, Curtis was convicted after a two-week trial. On March 27, 2006, Curtis was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Gary Gates and Tamisha Hayward operated an online escort/prostitution business known as “Red Light Special” and “Pandora’s Box.” Clients contacted a telephone number posted on the website to set up dates. Hayward reserved hotel rooms for the girls using Priceline.com. On April 23, 2004, Gates and Hayward were indicted on 13 counts of sex trafficking of children; 11 counts coercion and enticement; 5 counts of transportation of minors; and two counts of transportation for illegal sexual activity. Hayward was also charged with one count of conspiracy. On Sept. 8, 2004, through plea agreements, Gates was sentenced to 178 months and Hayward to 103 months.

Sunni Ham forced two underage girls into prostitution in Washington, DC. He forced them to wear revealing clothing while they performed sex acts for money. On June 12, 2007, Ham was sentenced to 106 months.

If you have any questions about the Task Force, please contact Coordinator, Assistant United States Attorney Roy L. Austin, Jr. (Roy.Austin@usdoj.gov)

Links

Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md/Human-Trafficking/index.html