Couple Indicted for Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Production of Child Pornography

HOUSTON—Arieal J. Bishop, 28, and David J. Golson, 26, have been ordered detained pending trial on charges of sex trafficking and producing child pornography, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Bishop and Golson appeared in court in Houston today following their transportation from Arkansas where they were being held on similar federal charges. Their official cities of residence could not be immediately determined, but testimony in court today revealed one or both of them had been in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

The indictment, returned April 17, 2013, charges both with one count of producing child pornography and one count of trafficking of a minor for commercial sex using force, fraud, or coercion. Bishop is further charged with one count of transporting a minor for the purpose of engaging in prostitution or other criminal sexual activity. The alleged crimes occurred between April and September 2011, according to the indictment.

Testimony at the detention hearing today indicated that Bishop filmed Golson engaging in sex with a 17-year-old girl within a short time after meeting them. Bishop allegedly posted advertisements for commercial sex for both herself and the victim in Houston as well as other cities in Texas and in Louisiana. The victim allegedly traveled with Bishop to Louisiana where they met up with Golson and continued to post ads and engage in commercial sex, according to the information presented in court. The victim gave money she earned from commercial sex to Bishop who gave it to Golson.

During this investigation, Bishop and Golson, along with Bishop’s sister, were arrested in Arkansas and charged with similar sex trafficking offenses involving a different minor victim.

Today, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen W. Smith indicated that Bishop and Golson were a flight risk and detained them pending further criminal proceedings. The court considered that neither has any legitimate source of income, residence, or significant ties to Houston that would assure their appearance at trial.

For the child pornography charges, they each face a minimum of 15 and up to 30 years in federal prison and up to life for sex trafficking, upon conviction. Both charges also carry as possible punishment a maximum $250,000 fine. For the transportation charge, Bishop further faces a minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, they also face a possible lifetime term of supervised release and will be required to register as sex offenders.

This case was investigated by the Houston FBI Innocence Lost Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri L. Zack.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.