David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HARRY FRANKLIN, also known as “Streets” and “Uncle Stacks,” 27, of the Bronx, N.Y., was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in an interstate prostitution enterprise that included the sex trafficking of two minor victims.

According to court documents and statements made in court, FRANKLIN, his cousin Theodore Briggs, Giovanni Vazquez and others were involved in a prostitution business that Briggs, also known as “PeeJaye,” ran out of his Norwalk apartment.  In 2010, FRANKLIN introduced Briggs to a woman and also a girl, who was 14-years-old at the time, who subsequently began to work in Briggs’ prostitution business.  FRANKLIN also helped facilitate the transportation of women and minors between Connecticut, New York and New Jersey to engage in commercial sex acts.

Briggs also knowingly prostituted a 17-year-old girl.

To advertise his prostitution services, Briggs posted photographs of women and minors on a website known as Backpage.com.

FRANKLIN has been detained since his arrest on February 8, 2011.  On October 26, 2011, he pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of an individual with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Briggs and Vazquez also have pleaded guilty.  On January 27, 2012, Briggs was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.  Vazquez awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Norwalk Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alina P. Reynolds and Krishna R. Patel.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

 

 

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