Portland Man Detained on Transporting and Sex Trafficking Charges Involving a Minor

PORTLAND, OR—Lendrick Lee Thomas, 33, appeared today for an initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Patricia Sullivan. Thomas was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 10, 2010 and transferred to federal custody. He is charged in five counts with sex trafficking and transportation across state lines of a 13-year-old female with the intent to engage in prostitution. Thomas did not contest detention today and Judge Sullivan ordered that he be held in custody as a flight risk and danger to the community pending trial. A jury trial has been set for October 19, 2010.

The indictment alleges that Thomas recruited, harbored, maintained, and provided a minor female, or received something of value, while knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that she was under 18 years and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. He is also charged with transporting the minor female from Oregon to Washington and Nevada and back with the intent that she engage in prostitution.

A conviction for sex trafficking of a minor under 14 years of age carries a mandatory minimum 15-year sentence to a maximum of life imprisonment. A conviction for sex trafficking of a minor under 18 years of age carries a mandatory minimum 10-year sentence to a maximum of life imprisonment. The transportation counts each carry a mandatory minimum 10-year sentence to a maximum of life imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau and FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kemp L. Strickland.

This case was brought by the Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force (OHTTF). The OHTTF was created in May of 2005. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the task force provides a comprehensive collaborative approach to combat human trafficking through partnerships between federal, state, local law enforcement, social service providers, and other government and non-government agencies. For more information about OHTTF visit www.oregonoath.org To provide a local tip on a human trafficking please call Multnomah County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Keith Bickford at (503) 251-2479. You can also report human trafficking tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or go online to NHTRC@PolarisProject.org.