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Press Release

Federal Jury Convicts San Antonio Man For Sex Trafficking Of Minors

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

In San Antonio today, a federal jury convicted 38–year-old Marcus Deshawn Wright for his role in prostituting two minor females last year announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs of the FBI’s San Antonio Division and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.

The jury convicted Wright of two counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of production of child pornography.  Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Wright and his codefendants, 22-year-old Malcolm Deandre Copeland and 20-year-old Amber Doak, both of San Antonio, were involved in a scheme beginning in August 2013 to entice and encourage minors into engaging in sexual acts for money.  Wright recruited two minor females to engage in commercial sex in San Antonio and Corpus Christi for his financial gain.  Wright also produced multiple videos which depicted sexual activity involving a minor.

Wright, who remains in federal custody, faces between ten years and life in federal prison for sex trafficking of minors and between 15 and 30 years in federal prison for production of child pornography.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 16, 2015.

On July 23, 2014, a federal jury convicted Copeland of two counts of sex trafficking of minors. Doak pleaded guilty in March 2014 to one count of sex trafficking of minors.  Each faces between ten years and life in federal prison.  Sentencing for Copeland and Doak is scheduled for December 4, 2014, and September 12, 2014, respectively.

The remaining co-defendant—41–year-old New Hampshire resident Raymond Valas—awaits jury selection and trial scheduled for November 17, 2014, before U.S. Chief District Judge Fred Biery.  Valas is charged with one count of sex trafficking of a minor.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) together with the San Antonio Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Bettina Richardson and Special Assistant United States Attorney Geoff Barr from the Texas Attorney General’s Office are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

Updated December 15, 2014