Cleveland Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Child Pornography Offenses

Pearline Richardson, 40, of Cleveland, was indicted today on seven counts related to sex trafficking and child pornography, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

“This indictment shows us once again that unspeakable crimes against children are taking place under our noses and in our neighborhoods,” Dettelbach said. “My office is committed to ending human trafficking, whether it is pushing undocumented workers into work or forcing teen girls and young women into commercial sex acts.”

Richardson was indicted on four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. The conduct detailed in those four charges occurred in 2011. Count one involves a minor under the age of 18 identified as “S.J.”

Count five is production of child pornography and took place on or about March 26, 2011, in which Richardson forced “S.J.” —the same minor identified in count one—to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, according to the indictment.

Count six is for possession of child pornography, while count seven is for distribution of child pornography

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. Counts one through five carry mandatory minimum sentences of 15 years in prison.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James V. Moroney following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.