Oklahoma Woman Coerced a Minor to Travel from Ohio to PA to Engage in Prostitution

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma waived prosecution by Indictment and pleaded guilty to an Information in federal court to violations of Coercion and Enticement of Any Individual to Travel to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity and Conspiracy to Commit the Offense of Coercion and Enticement of an Individual to Travel to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Shelby Summer Brown, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about March 6, 2018, to on or about March 14, 2018, Brown conspired and agreed with another individual, Oscar Carter, to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual, Minor A (who had not yet attained the age of 18 years) to travel from Ohio to Pennsylvania, to engage in prostitution from March 6, 2018 through March 14, 2018.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2020. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 25 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the Judge ordered Brown remain detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cranberry Township Police, and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the rescue of the victim and the prosecution of Brown.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.