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Date: 05-19-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 2:18-cr-00384-APG-EJY
Judge: Andrew P. Gordon
Court: United States District Court for the District of Nevada (Clark County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Las Vegas, Nevada criminal defense lawyers represented Defendants charged with child sex trafficking.
Demecia Shontres Washington, 42, of Dallas, Texas conspired with co-defendant Jimmy David Washington Jr., 35, of Lubbock, Texas, to recruit and coerce a child — who had not yet reached 18 years old — to engage in commercial sex acts and to produce child pornography. Demecia Washington and Jimmy Washington Jr. transported the child from Texas to New Mexico and Nevada with the intent that she engage in prostitution.
After a six-day trial, Washington was found guilty of one count each of: conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; sex trafficking; conspiracy to transport for prostitution or other criminal sexual activity; transportation for prostitution or other criminal sexual activity; conspiracy to sexually exploit children; sexual exploitation of children; and distribution of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon presided over the trial and scheduled a sentencing hearing for September 1, 2021.
The statutory maximum penalty for sex trafficking, transportation for purposes of prostitution, and conspiracy to commit those offenses is life in prison, with mandatory minimum penalties of 10 years for each offense. The statutory maximum penalty for sexual exploitation of children and conspiracy to commit that offense is 30 years in prison, with mandatory minimum penalties of 15 years for both offenses. The statutory maximum penalty for distribution of child pornography is 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum penalty of five years for that offense.
Co-defendant Jimmy Washington Jr. previously pleaded guilty to transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution. He was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Burton and Bianca Pucci are prosecuting the case.
Count 1 - 18:1591(a)(1),(a)(2),(b)(2) and (c) and 18:1594(c) - Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking
Count 2 - 18:1591(a)(1),(a)(2),(b)(2) and (c) and 18:2 - Sex Trafficking and Aiding and Abetting
Count 3 - 18:2423(a) and (e) - Conspiracy to Transport for Prostitution or Other Criminal Sexual Activity
Count 4 - 18:2423(a) and 2 - Transportation for Prostitution or Other Criminal Sexual Activity and Aiding and Abetting
Count 5 - 18:2251(a) and (e) - Conspiracy to Sexually Exploit Children
Count 6 - 18:2251(a) and (e) - Sexual Exploitation of Children
Count 7 - 18:2252A(a)(2) and (b) - Distribution of Child Pornography
Outcome: 05/10/2021 137 ORDER as to Demecia Shontres Washington. This Court having ordered the jury impaneled in this action to be kept together during period(s) of deliberation, IT IS ORDERED that all meals for said jury shall be paid by the Clerk of Court. Signed by Judge Andrew P. Gordon on 5/10/2021. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - DRS) (Entered: 05/11/2021)
05/10/2021 138 JURY INSTRUCTIONS as to Demecia Shontres Washington (DRS) (Entered: 05/12/2021)
05/10/2021 141 JURY VERDICT as to Demecia Shontres Washington (2) Guilty as to all counts. (DRS) (Entered: 05/12/2021)
05/10/2021 142 MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - Jury Trial Day Six as to Demecia Shontres Washington held on 5/10/2021 before Judge Andrew P. Gordon. Crtrm Administrator: M. Johansen; AUSA: Christopher Burton and Bianca Pucci; Def Counsel: Shawn Perez; Court Reporter/Recorder: Paige Christian; Time of Hearing: 8:59 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.; Courtroom: 4B; The defendant is present in custody. Outside the presence of the jury, the court and counsel discussed jury instructions and other housekeeping issues. 9:00 a.m., the court goes off record to await the jury. 9:04 a.m., the defendant's Rule 29 motion is denied. 9:06 a.m., the jury enters. DEMECIA SHONTRES WASHINGTON, previously sworn, resumes the witness stand. Ms. Pucci continues with cross-examination. Mr. Perez conducts re-direct examination. The witness is excused. Defense rest. Mr. Burton calls JACKIE VINCENT to the witness stand. The witness having been previously sworn testifies on direct examination. Government exhibit 48 A-B, 50 A-C, 51 A-B, 52 A-B, are admitted into evidence. Mr. Perez on re-cross examination. The witness is excused. The government rest. 10:11 a.m., the jury is excused for a morning break. Outside the presence of the jury, Mr. Perez Rule 29 motion. The court recessed from 10:13 a.m. until 10:29 a.m. 10:30 a.m., the jury enters. The court instructs the jury on the law as contained in the jury instructions. Closing arguments are presented by Ms. Pucci and Mr. Perez. Rebuttal argument presented by Mr. Burton. Final closing instructions are given by the court. The bailiff is sworn to take charge of the jury. The two alternate jurors are excused. 1:10 p.m., the jury is excused to begin its deliberations. 1:12 p.m., the court went off the record. At 3:13 p.m., the court was notified that the jury had reached a verdict. The court reconvened at 3:27 p.m. The jury enters and the foreperson is identified. The verdict is published. The jury is thanked and excused. The jury exits the courtroom. Sentencing set for September 1, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 6C. The defendant is remanded to custody. (no image attached) (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - MAJ) (Entered: 05/13/2021)
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Defendant's Experts:
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