Martinez Resident Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

OAKLAND—Eric Demetrius Smith was sentenced yesterday to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and, separately, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

On August 12, 2013, Smith, 26, of Martinez, pleaded guilty to two charges: (1) conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and (2) felon in possession of a firearm. According to the plea agreement, Smith admitted that, in March 2013, he recruited a minor to become a prostitute. He advertised the prostitution services on the Internet and arranged for commercial sex at various motels in Contra Costa County. Smith also admitted that on April 7, 2012, he was a felon in possession of a firearm.

Smith was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 16, 2013, for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 21, 2013, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The sentence was handed down by The Honorable Claudia Wilken, U.S. District Court Chief Judge, following a guilty plea to count one of the indictment in case number CR-13-00315, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1594(c), and to count one of the indictment in case number CR-13-00185, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Judge Wilken also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release.

Rodney C. Villazor is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Vanessa Quant. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.