Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of California and the U.S.

August 21, 2006

OAKLAND MAN ARRESTED FOR TRAFFICKING UNDERAGED GIRLS FOR SEX

Girls Allegedly Transported Between California, Nevada, and Florida
OAKLAND – United States Attorney Kevin V. Ryan announced that Marcus Sewell was arrested on August 17, 2006 pursuant to an arrest warrant issued upon his indictment. A federal grand jury in Oakland indicted Mr. Sewell, 34, of Oakland, on August 10, 2006, with sex trafficking of children and transporting minors in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. These charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Jose Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, Alameda County SAFE Team, California Department of Justice, and Las Vegas Police Department.

According to the indictment, Mr. Sewell is alleged to have prostituted two girls under the age of 18 and to have transported them between the Northern District of California and Nevada and Florida for the purpose of prostituting themselves between April 2005 and June 2006. The indictment also alleges that Mr. Sewell advertised the two girls as escorts on Internet sites including Craigslist.

Mr. Sewell was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a foot chase on August 17, 2006, and he made his initial appearance in federal court in Las Vegas before Magistrate Judge Robert J. Johnston. He is currently detained in federal custody and will be transported forthwith to the Northern District of California, where he will appear before Magistrate Judge Wayne D. Brazil.

The maximum statutory penalty for each count of Sex Trafficking of Children in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591 is life in prison, a fine of $250,000, and restitution, if appropriate. The maximum statutory penalty for each count of Transporting a Minor in Interstate Commerce With Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a) is 30 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and restitution, if appropriate. The mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a) is 5 years in prison. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of California and the U.S.