Tyrone Larry Smith, Lacoya Washington Sentenced in Minor Sex Trafficking Case

Two Shreveport residents have been slammed with federal prison time after being convicted of forcing a 14-year-old girl from Texas into prostitution. Tyrone Larry Smith, 37, and Lacoya Washington, 34, were sentenced Monday to 384 months (32 years) and 240 months (20 years) respectively on one count of sex trafficking of a minor, marking a grim end to a case rooted in manipulation, violence, and exploitation.

U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. handed down the sentences after a three-day trial that concluded July 27, 2016. Smith was additionally convicted of coercing or enticing a minor to travel for prostitution. Both defendants must serve five years of supervised release following their prison terms and are required to register as sex offenders for life. The prosecution painted a harrowing picture of how the teen was lured under false pretenses and then brutalized into compliance.

According to trial evidence, Smith initiated contact with the minor in June 2015 through an internet dating service. Pretending to have romantic feelings, he persuaded her to travel to Shreveport. Once she arrived, she was taken in by Smith and Washington at their home. Within days, they moved her to local hotels where she was forced to engage in commercial sex acts. When she resisted, Smith beat her into submission and seized all proceeds from the prostitution.

The abuse continued until law enforcement intercepted communication and stepped in, leading to the arrest of both defendants. The FBI led the investigation, uncovering a pattern of coercion and control that exemplifies the predatory tactics used in human trafficking. Authorities emphasized that the victim’s age, isolation, and lack of resources made her especially vulnerable to exploitation.

“We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep the children of our community safe by prosecuting those who engage in this despicable trade,” said United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley. “Human trafficking exploits the most vulnerable among us.” The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a DOJ initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated federal, state, and local action.

Anyone with information on suspected trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or report tips anonymously to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Additional resources for victims and advocates are available at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking and ovc.ncjrs.gov/humantrafficking. The Shreveport FBI office can be reached at (318) 861-1890.