Three Defendants Charged with Federal Crimes in Sex Trafficking of a Child Investigation
Defendants Face Imprisonment Terms of 10 Years to Life

BINGHAMTON, NY—United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that Lynette Tilden, Edward Tilden, and Alexandria Samson Davall, all from Utica, New York, were arrested by the FBI and charged by a federal felony complaint with three federal offenses in connection to a joint federal and state investigation concerning a prostitution ring engaged in the sex trafficking of a minor. Defendants appeared in federal court in Syracuse, New York, on July 16, 2013, and were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings.

The federal charges stem from an investigation conducted by the FBI-Albany Division, New York State Police, Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, Utica Police Department, and the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center. The investigation concerned a prostitution ring involved in selling a minor to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for money and drugs. The prostitution ring utilized the website backpage.com to advertise the prostitution. The ring also utilized a texting network to advertise their prostitution business. In addition to the three defendants named above and being charged with federal crimes, the Oneida County District Attorney has charged several other defendants with state crimes in connection to this overall joint investigation. The investigation is continuing.

Defendants Lynette Tilden, Edward Tilden, and Alexandria Samson Davall have been charged with the following three federal offenses and face the following possible penalties if convicted:

Sex Trafficking of Child

In and about February 2012, in the Northern District of New York and elsewhere, defendants Lynette Tilden, Edward Tilden, Alexandria Samson Davall, and others, while aiding and abetting each other, while in and affecting interstate commerce, did knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, and maintain by any means a person, or benefit, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture which engaged in any such act, where the person had not attained the age of 18 years at the time, knowing that the person would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.

In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a) & (b) and Section 2.

Potential penalties: Statutory mandatory minimum 10 years prison and a maximum of life; maximum possible fine of $250,000.

Persuading and Inducing a Child to Engage in Prostitution

In and about February 2012, in the Northern District of New York and elsewhere, defendants Lynette Tilden, Edward Tilden, Alexandria Samson Davall, and others, while aiding and abetting each other, while using any facility or means of interstate commerce, did knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years to engage in prostitution.

In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b) and Section 2.

Potential penalties: Statutory mandatory minimum 10 years prison and a maximum of life; maximum possible fine of $250,000.

Distribution of Heroin and Cocaine to a Minor

In and about February 2012, in the Northern District of New York and elsewhere, defendants Lynette Tilden, Edward Tilden, and Alexandria Samson Davall, while aiding and abetting each other and who were at least 18 years of age at the time, knowingly and intentionally distributed a controlled substance to a person under 21 years of age, and more specifically a person who was 16 years of age at the time, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. That violation involved heroin and cocaine, Schedule I and II controlled substances, respectfully, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 859(a).

Potential penalties: Statutory mandatory minimum one year prison and a maximum of 40 years; maximum possible fine of $1,000,000.

Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.