Seattle Man Indicted of Sex Trafficking Charges

A Seattle man has been indicted by the grand jury for sex trafficking and transporting a victim for purposes of prostitution, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. Desmond Trevain Manago, 25, will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court later this week. According to the indictment, between October and December 2012, Manago, through force, fraud, and coercion, caused a female victim to engage in commercial sex acts. Count two of the indictment alleges that Manago transported the female victim to Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, California, and elsewhere to engage in prostitution and any sexual activity. Sex trafficking is punishable by a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison up to life in prison. Transporting for purposes of prostitution is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Manago has been in the King County Jail since October 3, 2013, when he was arrested at a traffic stop for outstanding warrants. He will be transferred to federal custody for arraignment on the indictment.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the FBI, King County Sheriff’s Office, and Tacoma Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kate Crisham and Ye-Ting Woo.

Press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.langlie@usdoj.gov.