Orange County Gang Members Convicted Of Sex Trafficking Of A Minor

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, announces that a federal jury has found Xavier Francisco Villanueva, a/k/a “X,” (25, Orlando) Jose Carmona, a/k/a “Hood,” (21, Orlando) and Ashley Nicole Barnett, a/k/a “Snow,” (25, Orlando) guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, for which they each face up to life in prison.  Carmona and Barnett were also found guilty of aiding and abetting each other in the sex trafficking of a minor. This charge carries a minimum sentence of 15 years, up to life in prison.  The jury returned the verdict on September 5, 2014. The sentencing hearings are scheduled for December 4, 2014.

According to the evidence presented at trial, between January 17, 2013, and January 25, 2013, the above-named individuals conspired to engage a 14-year-old girl in a commercial sex act.  The individuals were part of the “Nine Trey Billy Bad Ass” gang, which is affiliated with the “Bloods” street gang.  They used drugs, physical restraint, and threats of force in order to engage the minor in prostitution activities for their own financial gain and benefit.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ilianys Rivera Miranda and Karen Gable.

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.projectsafechildhood.gov.