Tulsa Predator Wardell Gets 7+ Years for Trafficking Teen

TULSA, Okla. – Damian Deshane Wardell, 40, known on the streets as “Fray Fray,” is headed to federal prison for over seven years after pleading guilty to the grim reality of child sex trafficking. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan handed down a 92-month sentence today, a small measure of justice for a horrific crime that preyed upon a vulnerable teenager.

The case, spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, began unraveling in February when a Federal Grand Jury indicted Wardell on charges related to the exploitation of a minor. He entered a guilty plea on May 6, 2014, admitting to prostituting a 16-year-old female between November 19 and 22, 2013, at a motel within the Tulsa city limits.

The nightmare ended thanks to the quick thinking of the victim’s mother, who contacted the Tulsa Police Department when she discovered her daughter’s whereabouts. Responding officers from the Tulsa Police Department’s Vice Unit descended upon the motel room, arresting Wardell and rescuing not only the 16-year-old but also two other juvenile females who were present. The scene was a stark reminder of the hidden darkness that festers within our communities.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trent Shores and Clinton Johnson relentlessly pursued the case, building a solid prosecution that ultimately led to Wardell’s conviction and sentencing. They presented evidence detailing the defendant’s calculated exploitation and the devastating impact on the victim. This wasn’t a crime of passion; it was a cold, calculated act of predation.

This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at dismantling networks of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The program recognizes that these crimes are often hidden, requiring dedicated resources and interagency cooperation to bring perpetrators to justice. The DOJ’s website, www.usdoj.gov/psc, provides further information on the initiative.

While the 92-month sentence offers a degree of accountability, it doesn’t erase the trauma inflicted upon the victim. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to combat child sex trafficking, ensuring that predators like Damian Deshane Wardell are held responsible for their abhorrent actions. The fight to protect our children is far from over.