Savannah Man Wanted for Sex Trafficking of a Child

SAVANNAH, GA—A federal indictment unsealed last week in federal court has charged Shawn Bragg, 21, of Savannah, Georgia with sex trafficking a child. Bragg is currently a fugitive. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI.

According to the allegations in the indictment, from 2010 to March of this year, Bragg recruited a child who was under 14 years old to work as a prostitute in the Savannah area. The indictment further alleges that Bragg benefitted financially from the child engaging in commercial sex acts. Bragg is charged with one count of sex trafficking of a child, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a potential life sentence.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver said, “The allegations, if proven, would confirm that this defendant committed a heinous and despicable crime against a child. Protecting children is, and will continue to be, a top priority of this United States Attorney’s Office. We cannot allow our children to be the product used to enrich sex traffickers. With our federal and state partners in law enforcement, we will continue to investigate and prosecute child predators within our communities.”

Mr. Tarver emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The indictment of Bragg arises out of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph D. Newman and Tania D. Groover are prosecuting the case for the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.