South Jersey Man Sentenced to 10 Years on Sex Trafficking of Minor and Firearms Convictions

WILMINGTON, DE—Yusef Reynolds, age 21, of Mays Landing, New Jersey, was sentenced yesterday afternoon to 10 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and unlawful possession of a firearm, in violation of federal law. Reynolds also was sentenced to five years of supervised release, which will commence following his prison term. He also will be required to register as a sex offender in any jurisdiction in which he lives, works, or attends school.

According to statements made at today’s hearing and documents filed in court, Reynolds met a 15-year-old minor on Facebook in late 2011. On January 17, 2012, the minor decided to run away from home and begin working as a prostitute for Reynolds. Reynolds drove the minor and a 20-year old prostitute who was working for him from South Jersey to a Newark, Delaware hotel. Reynolds engaged in videotaped sex acts with both females, photographed the females in lingerie, and posted their images in advertisements for prostitution on a website.

On January 26, 2012, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents traced a phone number used in the prostitution advertisements to a Newark, Delaware hotel, where agents found the minor with Reynolds and the 20-year-old female. During a search of computer and camera equipment seized from the hotel room on January 26, 2012, FBI agents found video recordings of Reynolds engaged in various sex acts with the minor and with the 20-year-old female. FBI agents also seized approximately $2,000 in small denominations and a loaded 9mm handgun from the vehicle Reynolds used to transport the females to meet prostitution customers throughout New Castle County. As of the January 26, 2012 arrest, Reynolds was prohibited from possessing a handgun pursuant to a Protection from Abuse Order entered against him in the Family Court for New Castle County in May 2011.

Following the sentencing hearing, United States Attorney Charles M. Oberly, III stated, “There are few, if any, more disgusting crimes than exploiting vulnerable children. For too long, pimps have avoided serious penalties for their exploitative offenses. Those days are gone. Today, pimps like Yusef Reynolds, whether exploiting underage girls or adult females, can expect to feel the full brunt of the law when identified, arrested, and convicted.”

“The investigation and prosecution of individuals who prey on vulnerable children continues to be one of our greatest goals,” said SAC Stephen Vogt of the FBI’s Delaware Resident Agency. “The rescue of an abused child through joint cooperative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies is of the highest priority as are continuing efforts to identify additional child victims and prosecute those who abuse them.”

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force, and the South Jersey Innocence Lost Task Force. The United States Attorney also wishes to thank the following state and local agencies for their assistance: Delaware State Police; New Castle County Police Department; and Delaware Office of Probation and Parole. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. McAndrew.