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Press Release
Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal jury in Memphis has convicted Keith Gibson, a/k/a “Greedy,” 44, of Memphis, on four charges relating to child sex trafficking announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III, and Special Agent in Charge Todd McCall of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Memphis Field Office.
Gibson was found guilty of child sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit child sex trafficking for his role in the exploitation of a 14-year-old girl. He was also found guilty of two counts of false statements in relation to a child sex trafficking investigation for his subsequent efforts to cover up the crime.
Gibson faces a mandatory sentence of at least ten years in prison and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He will be sentenced on April 30, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Jon Phipps McCalla. Gibson’s co-defendants, Tony Grandberry, Orreco Lyons a/k/a “Pico the Pimp,” Vivian Briggs a/k/a “Fortune,” Tamara Ramsey, and Falisha Edwards all pled guilty prior to trial. Grandberry received 11 years imprisonment followed by 10 years supervised release on October 30, 2013. Briggs received 4 years imprisonment and 3 years supervised release on November 14, 2013. Lyons received 7 years imprisonment and 7 years supervised release on December 16, 2013. Ramsey and Edwards are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
The evidence at trial showed, among other things, that Gibson provided payment and contact information for an advertisement on Backpage.com offering the 14-year-old for prostitution. The jury heard from multiple people who were present with Gibson on January 1, 2013, when he provided the payment and contact information for the ad. The jury also heard from the 14-year-old victim, who testified that Gibson had talked about being her pimp and posting her to Backpage.com. She also testified that she lied about how old she was and that Gibson did not believe her and repeatedly questioned her age.
The jury saw a notebook recovered from Gibson’s car which included letters written by Gibson bragging that he “went back to what I’m famous for (Pimpin)” and was “getting pimp money.” The evidence also included the credit card used to pay for the advertisement, which had been on Gibson’s person when he was arrested.
The jury also heard from several FBI agents who testified regarding the lies Gibson told them after he was arrested. Two FBI agents also testified that when they arrested Gibson, his laptop computer was open to Backpage.com.
Protecting our children is one of society’s highest callings,” said U.S. Attorney Stanton. “When dangerous people look to fatten their wallets through the sexual exploitation of vulnerable young victims, the United States of America will not hesitate to bring them to justice."
“No child deserves to suffer the exploitation and abuse by “pimps” who prey on and destroy the lives of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Special Agent in Charge McCall. “Those who exploit their victims for profit should know the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating allegations of sex trafficking, and are working to ensure that they face justice and are held accountable for their abominable criminal conduct.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation working with the Memphis Police Department and the United States Secret Service. Jaime Corman and Anthony Householder of the FBI led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Skrmetti and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Erskine.