North Park Gang Member Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Sex Trafficking of Minors and Adults

Assistant U. S. Attorney Alessandra Serano (619) 546-8104 or Joseph Orabona (619) 546-7951

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – December 21, 2016

SAN DIEGO, CA – A member of a North Park-based criminal street gang was sentenced in federal court today for participating in a racketeering enterprise involving sex trafficking of minors, robbery and drug sales.

Tony “Lil’ Play Doh” Brown was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Houston to 66 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

In July 2016, a jury found the defendant and his co-defendant, Robert “Pimpsy” Banks III, guilty of Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity at the conclusion of a two-plus week trial and about ten hours of deliberations. The jury also found both Brown and Banks guilty of three counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of transportation of a minor for prostitution.

The two convicted defendants, members of the Black Mob/Skanless Enterprise, were arrested and charged in 2014 as part of a larger investigation involving 22 other defendants. Twenty-two have pleaded guilty.  Banks is set for a status hearing in January 2017.

“Sex trafficking is a crime that causes devastating long-term effects for victims,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “Because of today’s sentence, and the numerous guilty pleas that preceded them, this gang member will no longer be able to subject women and girls to the pain, humiliation and suffering associated with sex trafficking. Unfortunately, more gangs are expanding from traditional pursuits like drug dealing into this lucrative business. These gangsters are preying upon our youth, and we are using every law enforcement resource to keep our children and our communities safe from these predators.”

“Today's sentence is a reminder of the terrible impact child exploitation has on our community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum.  “The FBI Innocence Lost Task Force will continue to work tirelessly on dismantling these greedy and ruthless criminal gangs who victimize our children.”

During this trial, prosecutors set out to show the jury how the defendants worked together as a criminal enterprise to sex traffic multiple women including four 15 and 16-year-old minors, and to commit drug sales and a robbery on behalf of the Black Mob/Skanless Enterprise.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alessandra P. Serano and Joseph J.M. Orabona. These guilty verdicts are the fruit of the collaborative work by the San Diego Police Department and the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force. 

DEFENDANTS                                Case Number: 13CR4510-JAH

Tony “Lil Play Doh” Brown              Age: 33           Tolleson, Arizona

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1962 (d) – Maximum Penalties: 20 years in Prison

Sex Trafficking of Children - Maximum Penalties: 20 years in Prison, Sex Offender Registration

Transportation of a Minor for Prostitution - Maximum Penalties: 20 years in Prison, Sex Offender Registration

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

San Diego Police Department

Federal Bureau of Investigation