Four Charged with Sex Trafficking of Minors

HOUSTON—Emanuel Dandre Wade, 24, has been indicted along with Charmaine Henderson, 25, Ashley Shawntal Williams, 21, and Darquesha Perry, 26, for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Henderson and Wade are also charged with one and five counts of sex trafficking of minors, respectively.

The six-count indictment, returned under seal March 4, 2014, was unsealed in its entirety upon the arrest of Williams today. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Smith at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., at which time the government expects to request her detention pending further criminal proceedings.

Henderson has been in state custody on charges stemming from this investigation and will make her initial appearance on the federal charges today at 10:00 a.m.

Wade will also appear on these charges today at 10:00 a.m. He was taken into custody February 10, 2014, upon the filing of a criminal complaint and appeared for a detention hearing two days later. At that time, U.S. Magistrate Judge George Hanks found probable cause that Wade committed the crime of sex trafficking of a minor, that he was a danger to the community and a flight risk. He was ordered into custody pending further criminal proceedings.

Perry was taken into custody March 6 and was released upon posting bond, but will have to wear an electronic monitor and abide by several conditions including having no unsupervised contact with minors.

The criminal complaint, filed February 10, 2014, alleges the girls were forced to prostitute for Wade and were severely beaten in some instances.

According to that complaint, Williams supplied a vehicle in which Wade transported several minor victims to dates where the girls participated in commercial sex acts. Williams often transported the girls herself, according to the allegations. In one instance, after one of the victims had left, Williams allegedly lured her out and transported her back to Wade, who then beat her to the point that she needed medical attention, according to the charges.

The complaint further alleges Perry transported a minor victim to Wade on many occasions when the minor victim was caused to participate in commercial sex acts and Perry participated in commercial sex acts herself.

All four defendants face up to life in federal prison for the conspiracy charge, upon conviction. For sex trafficking of minors, Henderson and Wade also face a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment on each count of conviction. All charges also carry as possible punishment a fine of up to $250,000.

The Houston FBI Innocence Lost Task Force, which includes personnel from the FBI, Houston Police Department, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Sherri L. Zack is prosecuting.

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