Federal Jury Convicts Woodbury Man of Sex Trafficking a Minor

MINNEAPOLIS—This afternoon in federal court in Minneapolis, a jury found a 52-year-old Woodbury man guilty of the sex trafficking of a 15-year-old girl. Following a three-day trial, Stevon Warren was convicted on one count of sex trafficking a minor and one count of interstate transportation to engage in prostitution pursuant to the Mann Act. On March 15, 2011, Warren was charged on both counts in a superseding indictment.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Warren recruited and transported the girl, knowing she was under the age of 18 and, nonetheless, would be caused to be engaged in a commercial sex act. In addition, on one occasion between November of 2008 and March 18, 2009, Warren transported an adult female from Minnesota to Wisconsin for the purpose of having her engage in prostitution. Police learned of Warren’s activities through advertisements on Craigslist, the online auction site.

For his crimes, Warren faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on the sex trafficking charge and 10 years for violating the Mann Act, which prohibits the interstate transportation of individuals for the purpose of prostitution. United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz will determine Warren’s sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked within the U.S. each year. According to the Justice Department, the Twin Cities metropolitan area is one of the 15 largest human trafficking centers in the nation.