Oakland Man Charged With Transporting A Minor From Oregon To Engage In Prostitution In California

OAKLAND - A federal grand jury in Oakland indicted Eugene Latrell McNeely on April 20, 2017, for transporting a minor from Oregon to California with the intent that the minor engage in prostitution, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent in Charge, John F. Bennett. 

According to the indictment unsealed today, on October 3, 2015, McNeely, 34, of Oakland, transported a person who was under the age of 18 from Oregon, where she then resided, to Oakland, Calif. with the intent that she engage in prostitution.  The indictment charges McNeely with one count of transportation of a minor for prostitution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a). 

McNeely was arrested this morning in Oakland and made his initial appearance in the Oakland federal courthouse today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore.    McNeely is currently in federal custody pending further hearings, the next of which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on May 9, 2017, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nandor J. Vadas, for identification of counsel and status regarding detention.

The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a), is life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release.  McNeely also faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a mandatory minimum 5-year term of supervised release.  In addition, the court may order forfeiture and restitution.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. 

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Gullotta is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Trina Khadoo.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oakland Police Department. 

Anyone who suspects instances of human trafficking are encouraged to call the FBI or the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.  Anonymous calls are welcome.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-843-5678.  Indeed, a NCMEC tip led to the discovery and rescue of the victim in this case.