Washington man indicted for taking minor over state lines to engage in commercial sex

A Washington man was charged with transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Tyrell L. Moss, 33, knowingly transported a child identified as T.C. for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. Moss transported T.C. from Washington state to Beachwood by way of California, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Illinois, with the intent that T.C. would engage in commercial sex acts, according to the indictment.

This took place between September and October 14, 2016, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the sentence in this case will be determined by the court after consideration of the federal sentencing guidelines which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the unique characteristics of the violations. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan following an investigation by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, Cleveland Division of Police, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, Adult Parole Authority and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.