May 14, 2015

Couple Heads to Prison for Sex Trafficking of Minors in Two States

HOUSTON—David J. Golson, 28, and Arieal J. Bishop, 30, have been ordered to prison following convictions related to crimes that occurred in both Texas and Arkansas, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Golson previously pleaded guilty in November 2014 to one count of sex trafficking of minors in Texas and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking in the Arkansas case. Bishop had pleaded to possession of child pornography and transportation of minors in the Texas case and sex trafficking of minors in the Arkansas case.

Today, U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Sim Lake handed Golson a total sentence of 60 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. Bishop was sentenced April 10, 2015, and ordered to serve a total of 120 months in federal prison. Both will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

The pair faced charges in both Texas and Arkansas. The Texas indictment was returned in April 2013, alleging crimes that occurred between April and September 2011. The charges from Arkansas took place in November 2012. The Arkansas case was eventually transferred to Houston the charges merged. The convictions resolve the allegations in both cases.

The investigation revealed Bishop filmed Golson engaging in sex with a 17-year-old girl within a short time after meeting them. Bishop 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 traveled with Bishop to Louisiana where they met up with Golson and continued to post ads and engage in commercial sex. The victim gave money she earned from commercial sex to Bishop who then gave it to Golson.

Bishop and Golson were originally arrested in Arkansas and charged with sex trafficking offenses involving a different minor victim.

In May 2013, the two appeared in Houston federal court, at which time U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen W. Smith found them to be a flight risk and ordered them into custody. The court considered that neither person had any legitimate source of income, residence or significant ties to the area. They will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Texas case was investigated by the Houston FBI Innocence Lost Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Sherri L. Zack. The Arkansas case was prosecuted by AUSA Kristin Bryant.