WASHINGTON—The leader of a sex trafficking ring was sentenced today to 115 months in prison for operating an interstate prostitution enterprise.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney J. Walter Green of the Middle District of Louisiana and Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson of the FBI’s New Orleans Division made the announcement.

Jeremie J. Tate, 34, of Zachary, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on April 8, 2015, to conspiracy to unlawfully use interstate facilities in aid of racketeering, two counts of use of interstate facilities in aid of racketeering and enticing another to travel interstate for prostitution. Tate was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Shelly D. Dick of the Middle District of Louisiana.

In connection with his plea, Tate admitted that, from November 2012 through November 2013, he operated a prostitution business based in Baton Rouge involving at least one minor. Tate admitted that he personally recruited prostitutes and advertised for and scheduled prostitution sessions. Tate further admitted that he used proceeds from the enterprise to purchase controlled substances, which he distributed to the prostitutes and others to manipulate and intimidate them.

To date, three others already have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in this sex trafficking ring.

The case is being investigated by the was investigated by the FBI’s Baton Rouge Crimes Against Children Task Force, Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, Louisiana State Police and East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Police Department’s Narcotics Division, U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and other law enforcement agencies.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Reginald E. Jones of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie A. Flowers Jr. of the Middle District of Louisiana.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.