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St. Louis Area Man Indicted on Charges of Sex Trafficking of Children

U.S. Attorney’s Office November 05, 2009
  • Eastern District of Missouri

ST. LOUIS, MO—James Patrick Grady was indicted on charges of sex trafficking and enticement of children, and possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today.

According to the affidavit filed with a July 30, 2009 federal complaint; on July 29, 2009, law enforcement officers and agents were involved in an undercover operation investigating subjects who attempt to purchase children or their services for commercial sex in the Eastern District of Missouri. The same day, officers received an e-mail in response to an Internet advertisement that had been placed by law enforcement working in the undercover capacity. The advertisement indicated that young females of an indeterminate age were available. The e-mail was from James Patrick Grady, seeking more information regarding the ad, and was informed that there were two females. In the course of the e-mails, Grady received a digitally morphed photograph of a 16-year-old female. Grady inquired about the cost of the child depicted and was given a price for a half-hour and for one hour. Grady indicated that he wanted a half-hour and was told that the girl was 16 years old. He indicated that was fine and set up a meeting. Upon arriving at the agreed upon location, Grady met an undercover officer, and asked to see the girls. He became suspicious and attempted to leave the house and was arrested. In addition to the charges detailed above, today’s indictment alleges that on July 29, Grady possessed multiple images containing child pornography on his computer.

Grady, 58, St. Louis, was indicted today by a federal grand jury on one felony count of sex trafficking of children, one felony count of coercion and enticement, and one felony count of possession of child pornography. Additionally, Grady is charged with a forfeiture count, which, if convicted, will require the forfeiture of property that was used to facilitate the criminal activity. He is expected to appear in federal court next week.

If convicted, each count of sex trafficking and coercion/enticement carries a penalty range of 10 years to life in prison and/or fines up to $500,000. Possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000.

“There is no work more important than protecting our children,” said Roland J. Corvington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in St. Louis. “Just last month the FBI, along with our local and state partners, conducted a three-day nationwide operation and rescued 52 children from the sex trade.”

Reap commended the work on the case by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Maryland Heights Police Department; and Assistant United States Attorney Howard J. Marcus, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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