Louisville Man Guilty Of Sex Trafficking Of A Minor

27 year-old man used 14-year-old girl for commercial sex acts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Keith L. Napier, Jr. of Louisville pleaded guilty in United States District Court yesterday, before Senior Judge Charles R. Simpson III, to a charge of sex trafficking of a minor, announced United States Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr.

“Sex trafficking minors is a monstrous crime that preys upon vulnerable teenagers and children,” stated United States Attorney John Kuhn. “I commend the Louisville Metro Police Department and the FBI for their tremendous investigative work in this case. Together, the federal, state and local authorities will do everything in our power to bring sex traffickers to justice in hopes that we will deter and prevent victimization of other children.”

Napier, 27, admitted that beginning in March of 2016, in Jefferson County, Kentucky, he asked Jane Doe, a 14-year-old female, if she could help him earn money to pay off debts by performing commercial sex acts. Napier had a reasonable opportunity to observe Jane Doe, and also knew her real age. From March 2016 to May 2016, Napier transported Jane Doe to and from appointments with clients for commercial sex. The commercial sex acts frequently took place at hotels and were advertised on the internet website, Backpage.com.

The investigation was opened during a prostitution sting coinciding with the Kentucky Derby when Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers found a listing on Backpage.com advertising prostitution. A LMPD Detective arranged a meeting and encountered a 14-year-old female. Napier had transported the minor to the Jefferson County hotel to perform a commercial sex act.

If convicted at trial, Napier could have been sentenced to no less than ten years in prison and up to life, followed by at least a five-year period of supervised release, and fined up to $250,000.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda E. Gregory of the Western District of Kentucky. The case is being investigated by LMPD and the FBI’s Louisville Division.