Sex Trafficker Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison

PORTLAND, OR—James Albert Jackson, 39, was sentenced to 480 months in prison today by U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman after pleading guilty on March 3, 2011 to one count of an indictment charging him with the sex trafficking of a minor through force, fraud, and coercion. Jackson was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

The case arose in September 2008, when a 15-year-old female, “AK,” was arrested for prostitution on the streets of Portland. At the time, she feared that James Jackson would kill her and agreed to accept help from police. Members of the Tigard Police Department, FBI, and the Sexual Assault Resource Center received the child and worked to transport her to a safe house out of state. Months later, after starting to feel safe, AK was ready to describe how Jackson trafficked her from Seattle, Washington to Portland.

“Today, the 40-year sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Mosman for James Jackson, a violent and predatory sex trafficker of children, sends a firm but clear message to others in the District of Oregon who are engaged in this form of modern-day slavery,” said U.S. Attorney, Dwight C. Holton.

Prior to leaving Seattle, Jackson suggested that he could provide AK with a nice house, car, and family and asked her if she wanted those things. Moments after arriving and being placed in a Portland hotel, the violence began. Jackson told her, “You’re going to get out there and sell your ass and we are going to live out here.” When AK stood up to object, Jackson grabbed her throat, started choking her and then pressed her down. He continued to choke her for a long time and kept telling her, “Put your hands down,” over and over. Then, he punched her in the mouth and back of the head while asking, “Are you going to calm down now?” After AK said yes, he let her go.

For the next three months, Jackson compelled AK to walk the streets of Portland and earn approximately $45,000 while working as a prostitute. However, AK was not allowed to keep any of the money—all of it went directly into Jackson’s pockets. The physical assaults continued to occur about three times per week and escalated depending Jackson’s mood. He beat her for senseless things and whenever she failed to provide him with the money she earned as a prostitute. Jackson also regularly supplied AK with cocaine in order to addict her to the drug and continue the enticement into prostitution.

This case was brought through the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force (OHTTF). The OHTTF was created in May of 2005. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the task force provides a comprehensive, collaborative approach to combat human trafficking through partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement, social service providers, and other government and non-government agencies. To provide a local tip on a human trafficking, please call Multnomah County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Keith Bickford at (503) 251 2479. You can also report human trafficking tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888 373- 7888 or go online to NHTRC@PolarisProject.org.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Tigard Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kemp L. Strickland.