February 5, 2015

Kentucky Man Guilty of Transporting Adult Females with the Intent That They Engage in Prostitution

LOUISVILLE, KY—A Kentucky man pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin to charges of transporting adult females, in interstate commerce, with the intent that the females engage in prostitution, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr.

According to the six count indictment, Dwayne Watkins, age 37, transported at least six females in interstate commerce from Kentucky to other states to engage in prostitution between 2007 to August 2014. Five of the six females were often psychologically abused and physically assaulted as a means to coerce them. Watkins used various Internet websites such Craigslist, Eros, and Backpage to advertise prostitutes working for his prostitution business and facilitate communication with potential clients.

In court today, Watkins admitted to transporting Female 1 across state lines from Kentucky to Indiana to conduct prostitution at least five times from December 2013 to August 2014. Further, Watkins admitted to psychologically abusing and physically assaulting Female 1 as a means to coerce her.

Watkins admitted to transporting Female 2 from Kentucky to North Carolina to engage in prostitution or attempt to do so. Watkins admitted to psychologically abusing and physically assaulting Female 2 as a means to coerce her. During this time period, Female 2 was homeless, and was transported with other females to North Carolina, Atlanta, New Jersey, and New York for the purposes of prostitution.

Watkins further admitted to transporting Female 3 from Kentucky to North Carolina in April 2007, to engage in prostitution or attempt to do so. Watkins admitted to psychologically abusing and physically assaulting Female 3 as a means to coerce her.

Watkins admitted to transporting Female 4 from Kentucky to Illinois, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, between July 2008, and August 2010, to engage in prostitution or attempt to do so. Female 4 who lived with Watkins, was physically beaten approximately ten times during the two years that she was under his control.

Between February 2007 and December 2008, Watkins admitted to transporting Female 5 from Kentucky to Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, and Illinois with the intent that Female 5 engage in prostitution or attempt to do so. Further, Watkins psychologically abused and physically assaulted Female 5 as a means to coerce her. According to count five of the indictment, Female 5 agreed to allow Watkins to be her modeling “Agent”. However, at the direction of Watkins, Female 5 became a working prostitute and was forced to give Watkins every dollar made from prostitution.

Watkins admitted to transporting a sixth female, identified as Female 6, from Kentucky to Indiana to engage in prostitution or attempt to do so. Female 6 was never physically assaulted.

At trial, Watkins faced up to ten years in prison per charge, a fine of $250,000 per charge and a term of supervised release up to life. Watkins is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Sentencing is set before Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell in Louisville, Kentucky on May 19, 2015 at 11:30 a.m.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Judd and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisville Metro Police Department, and Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office.