Minneapolis Woman Indicted for the Sex Trafficking of a Minor

MINNEAPOLIS—A federal indictment unsealed late last week charges a 32-year-old Minneapolis woman for the alleged sex trafficking of a minor in November of 2011. The indictment charges Kimberly Susan Latham with one count of sex trafficking of a minor. The indictment, which was filed on January 19, 2012, was unsealed following Latham’s initial appearance in federal court on January 20, 2012.

The indictment alleges that in November of 2011 Latham recruited, harbored, and transported the minor, and forced her to engage in a commercial sex act. Latham received money from the minor’s participation in such conduct, and paid for advertisements on an Internet website.

If convicted, Latham faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Minnetonka Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Steinkamp.

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.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.