Home Birmingham Press Releases 2009 Man Found Guilty of Transporting 15-Year-Old Between States for Illicit Sexual Conduct
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Man Found Guilty of Transporting 15-Year-Old Between States for Illicit Sexual Conduct

U.S. Attorney’s Office March 11, 2009
  • Northern District of Alabama (205) 244-2001

BIRMINGHAM, AL—PRINCE KNIGHT, 38, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was found guilty late yesterday afternoon for Traveling for the Purpose of Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Transporting a Minor in Interstate Commerce with the Intent of Engaging in Criminal Sexual Activity. The trial took place in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

“Teens that run away are placing themselves in unknown danger. Any adult who travels to engage in sex with a minor, and/or transports a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity will be prosecuted, even if the child is a ‘runaway’,” stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

According to the Indictment and various statements during the trial, on or about January 27, 2008, KNIGHT traveled from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Manhattan, Kansas for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 15 year old child. On Monday, January 28, 2008, the defendant picked up the child in Manhattan, Kansas and transported the 15 year old child back to his apartment in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Per the defendant’s supervisor at an elementary school in Tuscaloosa, the defendant called in sick for work on that Monday, January 28, 2008, but returned to work on January 29, 2008. The 15 year old child left a note for her parents indicating she had run away to visit her biological father in California. Law enforcement subsequently located and rescued the child in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on February 8, 2008. The case involved national cooperation between several law enforcement officers in multiple jurisdictions in order to rescue the missing child.

“I wish to thank the agents from the Riley County Police Department and the Tuscaloosa County Police Department for their invaluable assistance in bringing Mr. Knight to justice,” stated Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division.

KNIGHT faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment, and up to life in prison. In addition, he faces up to a maximum of 30 years imprisonment for the charge of Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. Furthermore, KNIGHT can be placed on supervised release for a term of at least 5 years, up to the remainder of his natural life, following any term of imprisonment. The defendant may also have to register as a sex offender.

This matter was investigated by the Riley County Police Department in Manhattan, Kansas, the Tuscaloosa County Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel J. Fortune and Beau Brown prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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