October 1, 2010
FORMER DENVER MAN INDICTED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES
DENVER – Timothy Wayne Lee, age 44, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver for the sexual trafficking of children and other sex related charges, United States Attorney John Walsh and FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis announced. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Denver yesterday. Lee is currently being held in custody in New Mexico on state charges. A writ will be issued at a later date to have Lee transferred to Colorado to face the charges. No time frame has yet been set for the transfer.
Counts one, six and eight allege that beginning in 2003 through and ending in 2009, Lee was responsible for the sex trafficking of three minors who had not yet attained the age of 18. If convicted of these charges, Lee faces not more than 20 years in federal prison for conduct prior to December 19, 2003, not more than 40 years for conduct after December 19, 2003, and no less than 10 years and no more than life for conduct in 2008 and 2009, and up to a $250,000 fine, per count.
Counts two, three and nine allege that from April 2005 through February 2009, Lee did knowingly transport three minors who had not attained the age of 18 across state lines. Two of the minors were transported from Colorado to California, one of the minors was transported from Colorado to Utah, with the intent that the victim engage in prostitution. Transportation of minors for prostitution carries a penalty of not less than 5 years, and not more than 30 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, per count.
Counts four, five, seven, ten and eleven allege that from May 2005 through February 2009, Lee transported five adult victims across state lines with the intent to have them engage in prostitution. Three of the victims were transported from Colorado to California, the other two were transported from Colorado to Utah. Transportation for illegal sexual activity carries a penalty of not more than 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, per count.
Count twelve alleges that in January 2009, Lee did employ, use, persuade, induce and entice a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, namely the production of photographs. This count is punishable by not less than 15 years, and not more than 30 years imprisonment, and up to a $250,000 fine.
Count thirteen alleges that Lee possessed child pornography on his computer. Lee faces a penalty of not more than 10 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
“The sexual exploitation of children is one of the most heinous crimes prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said United States Attorney John Walsh. “Combating the exploitation of children is at the very top of our priority list for investigation and prosecution.”
“The FBI and our partners in local and state law enforcement will always work to bring those who victimize children to justice,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis. “This case is a sad reminder of the danger that some of our nation’s children face.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and its Innocence Lost Working Group, which includes the Lakewood Police Department, the Denver Police Department, the Aurora Police Department, the Thornton Police Department, and the Commerce City Police Department.
The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brenda Taylor.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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