March 23, 2015

Four Convicted in Sex Trafficking of Minors Case

HOUSTON—Four people have been convicted for their roles in a sex trafficking of minors conspiracy in which young females were forced and/or coerced to engaged in commercial sex acts, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Emanuel Dandre Wade, 25, pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking of minors. Charmaine Henderson, 26, and Ashley Shawntal Williams, 22, both entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, while Henderson also pleaded to one count of sex trafficking of minors. Darquesha Perry, 27, entered a plea of guilty to misprision of a felony.

Wade and Henderson claimed to own a modeling agency, which, in reality, was a front for prostitution. Wade admitted he coerced minor females to engage in prostitution under the initial guise of “modeling.” He took pictures of the minors and advertised their services on websites.

One of the girls was continually beaten by Wade and forced to continue to prostitute. She indicated that on one occasion, she was beaten for simply giving Wade the wrong number of cigarettes. She was eventually recovered by law enforcement.

After the victim’s rescue, Williams contacted her and lied to her, stating she was no longer associating with Wade and to come “hang out” with her. She then took her to a hotel room where Wade was waiting. The victim claimed Wade beat her again, but was eventually able to contact her mother who took her to a hospital to receive treatment.

Wade had also reached out to another victim via a social networking site under the guise of looking for a model. He eventually coerced her into prostitution and kept all of the monies she earned.

Williams admitted to transporting victims to “dates” in her vehicle and had rented motel rooms for the commercial sex acts. She knew the women were minors.

Perry had also provided transportation and allowed Wade to move into her apartment while running his criminal enterprise.

United States District Court Judge Gray Miller accepted the pleas today and has set sentencing for July 10, 2015. At that time, Wade, Henderson and Williams each face up to life in federal prison for each of their counts of conviction. Perry faces up to three years in prison.

Wade and Henderson are in custody, while Perry and Williams remain on release pending their sentencing hearings.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Houston FBI Innocence Lost Task Force, which includes personnel from the FBI, Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack is prosecuting the case.