Monday, September 29, 2014

Tampa Couple Guilty In Child Sex For Money Operation

TAMPA, FL—United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces today that Derrick L. Hayes, a/k/a “D-Man,” (27, St. Petersburg) pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of children by force or coercion, and two counts of sex trafficking of children by force or coercion. His girlfriend, Keosha Jones has plead guilty for her role in the criminal acts. 

According to court documents, in December 2012 and January 2013, Hayes conspired with his girlfriend, Keosha Renee Jones, to arrange for two 14-year-old victims to engage in commercial sex acts in St. Petersburg. 

After meeting the victims, Hayes took them to a residence and directed them to engage in sex acts with his associates. With Hayes’ knowledge, Jones also took the victims to a hotel in St. Petersburg, where the victims engaged in additional sex acts for money. 

Hayes visited the hotel regularly, collected the proceeds from the sex acts, and directed the victims to engage in additional sex acts with his associates. Hayes also beat and threatened Jones in the victims’ presence, and threatened the victims.

Hayes faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison on each count. Hayes also must register as a sex offender. His sentencing hearing has been set for December 12, 2014.

On September 19, 2013, Jones pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy. She is awaiting sentencing.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Project Safe Childhood 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: www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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