Sacramento Trio Indicted for Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Related Charges

SACRAMENTO, CA—United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that on September 30, 2010, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Jamal Kareem Warren, 24, of Sacramento, with sex trafficking of a minor, production of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, distribution of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, and possession of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.

The indictment alleges that between November 2009, and December 15, 2009, Warren, along with Mario Londell Boyd, 42, of Sacramento, and Ashley Nicole Evon, 23, of Sacramento, knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, and maintained a 16-year-old girl for the purpose of having her engage in a commercial sex act. The indictment also charges Warren with producing, distributing, and possessing images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, and seeks criminal forfeiture of several items used to facilitate the crime.

Warren made his initial appearance in court at 2:00 p.m. today before United States Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan. Evon will make her initial appearance in court tomorrow. Boyd has not yet been apprehended.

This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.

The statutory penalty for sex trafficking of children is 15 years to life in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.