Man Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison For Kidnapping Teenagers In Sacramento And Transporting Them To Reno For Sex Work

RENO, Nev. – A Reno man who kidnapped a teenage boy and girl in Sacramento, Calif., in July 2012, and repeatedly raped the girl in both Sacramento and later in Reno, was sentenced today to 40 years in prison and lifetime supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.

John Thomas Abrams, aka Buck, aka David George Garnett, aka John McDonald, aka David Blackwell, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du.  Abrams was convicted by a jury in February of two counts of kidnapping and one count of transportation of a minor for illegal sexual activity. There is no parole in the federal system. 

“We have dedicated more resources than ever to catching and prosecuting these predators,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “We are working with local, state and federal partners in Nevada and other states to make sure they face the criminal justice system.”

Between about July 12 and July 22, 2012, Abrams kidnapped the 15-year-old girl and boy in the Sacramento area, and held them. While in Sacramento, Abrams repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl. After several days in Sacramento, Abrams then transported them to Reno with the intent that the girl engage in illegal sexual activity, where he again raped the girl before they were able to escape.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI in Sacramento and Reno and the Sacramento Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carla Higginbotham and Sue Fahami.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals, federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.  For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

###