Three Plead Guilty to Sex Trafficking of Children

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that William Gibson, of Columbia, South Carolina; Thomas Tyrell Summers a/k/a “T-Shine,” of Columbia, South Carolina; and Andrea Bostic, of Columbia, South Carolina, each have entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia to sex trafficking of children, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. of Columbia accepted the guilty pleas and will impose their sentences after he has reviewed the presentence reports that will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearings established that on July 27 and July 28, 2013, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers conducted operations in the Columbia metropolitan area as part of a larger nationwide initiative, code-named Operation Cross Country VII, with the goal of locating juveniles forced into prostitution. Law enforcement identified a potential juvenile who was being advertised for sexual services, contacted the advertisement, and conducted an undercover operation. It was determined that the juvenile, who was identified a 16-year-old missing person, was a part of a larger prostitution ring that was run by William Gibson, Thomas “T-Shine” Summers, and Andrea Bostic. Gibson, Summers, and Bostic all entered guilty pleas in federal court, pursuant to plea agreements. Gibson’s plea agreement is a negotiated plea for 360 months in prison; Summers and Bostic are facing sentences of 10 years to life.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jim May of the Columbia Office is prosecuting the case.