Three Individuals Involved in an Internet Prostitution Ring Indicted

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania today announced the indictment of three individuals charged with operating a multi-state, Internet-based prostitution ring.

Roger Sedlak, Marianna Sedlak and Kelli Kaylor each were charged with three crimes:  transporting and causing the transportation in interstate commerce of an individual with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution, persuading and enticing an individual to engage in interstate travel for the purpose of prostitution, and conspiracy to commit those offenses. Roger Sedlak, age 47, and Marianna Sedlak, age 40, husband and wife, reside in Perkasie, Pennsylvania; Kaylor, age 23, is a resident of Illinois.

Carlson said the charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Harrisburg offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service — Criminal Investigation. The investigation revealed that the Sedlaks began operating an “escort service” known as Diamond Escorts through the Internet. The indictment alleges that women would apply to be “escorts” and would have to meet personally with Roger Sedlak to be accepted for employment.  Clients submitted personal information online to gain access to the service.  Roger Sedlak held himself out as an executive of a non-existent airline known as CQ Air.  Using various aliases, he would rent rooms at a variety of local hotels claiming that he was using them for airline business.  It is alleged that the “escorts” would travel from various states to Pennsylvania to engage in prostitution and that their earnings would be split with Sedlak.  Marianna Sedlak was allegedly the primary scheduler of the appointments, and Kaylor became involved in the operation at the beginning of 2009.

If convicted of the charged offenses, each defendant faces a statutory maximum of up to 35 years in prison and $750,000 in fines.  U.S. Attorney Carlson said the investigation is continuing.  Carlson thanked the FBI and IRS—CI for their investigative work.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy.

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An Indictment or Information is not evidence of guilt but simply a description of the charge made by the Grand Jury and/or United States Attorney against a defendant.  A charged Defendant is presumed innocent until a jury returns a unanimous finding that the United States has proven the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or until the defendant has pled guilty to the charges.