Bloods Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking a Child

NORFOLK, Va. – Keiawn Demarco McDonald, 23, of Virginia Beach, pleaded guilty today to charges of sex trafficking of a child. McDonald is the seventh and final member of this sex trafficking ring to be convicted (see chart below).

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, in the fall of 2015 McDonald, who is a member of a Virginia Beach-based set of the Bloods street gang, recruited a minor girl to engage in prostitution at various hotels in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. McDonald photographed the victim, posted online advertisements for her commercial sex services, and arranged prostitution appointments for her. McDonald also instructed the victim about how to conduct appointments with customers and monitored her activities by text message during her appointments. He required the victim to provide him with all the money she earned from her prostitution activities.

McDonald was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on December 15. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; John S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and James A. Cervera, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask. Assistant U.S. Attorney V. Kathleen Dougherty is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16cr2.