Memphis, TN – A man who trafficked a female minor for sex has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, Harold Davis, 28, of Memphis, Tennessee, trafficked a female minor runaway between May and June 2014. Davis met the minor on the street and took her to his house. After purchasing a cellphone and wig for the teen, Davis posted an image of her on Backpage.com to advertise her for commercial sexual encounters.
The defendant’s criminal activity was discovered when a Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped Davis’ vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy noticed a female minor in Davis’ backseat. The deputy also observed an unusually large amount of condoms and female hygiene products. The minor was identified and placed into foster care. However, within days, Davis communicated with the minor via Facebook, provided her with his contact information and helped her run away from her foster home.
During an investigation into the matter, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Human Trafficking Task Force was able to link the Backpage.com ads to Davis through his phone number and email accounts.
In April 2016, a federal jury convicted Davis on one count of sex trafficking a minor and one count of using the internet to conduct an unlawful activity.
On Thursday, December 29, 2016, U.S. District Judge Samuel H. Mays Jr. sentenced Davis to 151 months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Debra Ireland and Kasey Weiland prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.