RICHMOND, VA—Troy Parker, 41, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for child sex trafficking.

Dana J. Boente, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Adam S. Lee, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Richmond Field Office; and Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Robert E. Payne.

Parker pleaded guilty on February 12, 2014, to one count of child sex trafficking. According to court documents, Parker met a minor in Richmond, Virginia, and took her to the Travel Inn. He then used his cell phone to post an advertisement on Backpage.com containing pictures of the minor and offering her for sexual acts in exchange for money. Parker also provided transportation and a hotel room for the minor to perform those sexual acts. The minor then provided Parker with money she was paid by her customers. On May 28, 2013, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting in an undercover capacity, spoke to Parker and arranged through him to meet the minor for purported sexual activities. At the time of the meeting, agents were able to secure the minor and take Parker into custody.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Richmond Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Heather L. Hart prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.