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Press Release

New Jersey Man Sentenced To Two-Year Prison Term

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia


For Prostituting Girlfriend, Who He Physically Abused
Second Man Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Aiding in the Prostitution

            WASHINGTON – Leschon Gonzales, 25, of Atlantic City, N.J., was sentenced today to a two-year prison term for prostituting and abusing his girlfriend multiple times last year, and Cornell Ford, 42, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to a six-month prison term for aiding in the prostitution activities, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

            The men pled guilty in April 2014 in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. Gonzales pled guilty to two counts each of pandering, procuring, and simple assault. Ford pled guilty to one count of pandering.  Both were sentenced by the Honorable Michael Ryan.  Upon completion of their respective prison terms, each will be placed on probation for 12 months.  

            According to the government’s evidence, Gonzales, also known as “Smoov,” began dating the 22-year-old victim in the summer of 2013. On June 30, 2013, he and the victim met Ford at Union Station. From there, Ford advised Gonzales where to take the victim to prostitute herself.  Gonzales took the victim to the location Ford advised, an area in the District of Columbia known for prostitution, and instructed the victim how to behave with customers.  The victim complied, and after she sold her body for sex, Gonzales took the money. When the victim stated that she did not want to sell herself, Gonzales struck her multiple times.  Over the next several days, Gonzales arranged, via online advertisements, for the victim to engage in sexual acts for money throughout the District of Columbia. Gonzales received all of the proceeds.

           On Oct. 25, 2013, the victim and Gonzales were again in the District of Columbia with Ford. Gonzales chose the victim’s clothing and Ford drove Gonzales and the victim to the same area they had gone in June.  Ford instructed Gonzales exactly where the victim should walk to pick up customers. As a result, the victim engaged two customers in transactions for oral sex.  Gonzales received all of the money from those transactions.  The next evening, they went to another area of the District of Columbia, and the victim had several customers. When the victim did not return with as much money as expected, Gonzales grabbed her and put her in the car.

            A few days later, on Oct. 30, 2013, Gonzales and the victim were in Union Station when the victim told Gonzales that she was not going back on the street to sell her body.  Gonzales grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of Union Station.  Gonzales let go of her, and she ran back into Union Station to hide in a restroom.  From inside the restroom, she called her mother, who notified police.  Gonzales was arrested as he approached the women’s restroom, where the victim had been hiding.  Ford was identified through additional investigation. 

           In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work performed by those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department.  He also praised the work those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Veronica Vaughan and Paralegal Specialist Jason Manuel.  Finally, he commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff T. Cook, who investigated the matter.

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Updated February 19, 2015