February 2, 2015

Houston Rapper Heads to Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

‪‪HOUSTON—Jeremy Jacobi Scott aka “J Moe,” 30, of Houston, has been ordered to prison for 10 years following his conviction of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Scott pleaded guilty June 23, 2014.

Today, U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt took into consideration the facts and circumstances surrounding the exploitation of the minor victim and handed Scott a sentence of 120 months in federal prison. Additional information was also presented today, including Scott’s criminal history which includes prior acts of violence against women and other offenses. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hoyt stated that the crime Scott committed was a very serious offense and that it was time for him to take responsibility for his life, move forward and find a way to support his children upon his release from prison. Judge Hoyt told Scott that his life was no longer about his failed dreams but rather about helping his children fulfill their own dreams. Scott was further ordered to serve five years of supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

‪At the time of ‪his plea, Scott admitted that beginning in February 2011, he attempted to gain the trust of a 14-year-old female. He had reached out to her via MySpace and began picking her up from her residence and her school and driving her around town and to a music studio where Scott recorded rap songs. He also gave her marijuana.

On one occasion, the female had asked Scott to take her home. He refused and took her cellphone. Soon after, he taught her how to prostitute, photographed her and used those photos to place advertisements for her services on a website known for the advertisement of prostitution services. During that time, the victim witnessed Scott beating another girl recruited to work for him. Scott kept all the monies the victim earned.

She was rescued after approximately a month following an undercover operation.

The lyrics of some of Scott’s songs glorify prostitution and “pimping” and were consistent with terms used by persons who exploit women and minors for commercial sex. He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The investigation was conducted by the ‪Houston FBI Innocence Lost Task Force, which includes such agencies as the Houston Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri L. Zack.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”