Memphis Man Wayne Settles Sentenced to Over Eleven Years for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

Grimy Times Exclusive: A grim milestone in the battle against child sex trafficking was marked as Wayne Edwards Settles, a 31-year-old Memphis resident, received a sentence of 135 months behind bars for sex trafficking of a minor and interstate sex trafficking.

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The harrowing details of Settles’ crimes were laid bare during his sentencing hearing in Jackson, Mississippi. According to court documents and statements, Settles had trafficked a young girl for commercial sex acts and transported her across state lines from Louisiana to Mississippi. He utilized the dark corners of the internet to post advertisements for the minor and even went so far as to brand her with a tattoo as his property.

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Settles was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 11, 2022, and entered a guilty plea on October 25, 2022. He will serve his sentence in addition to ten years of supervised release following his prison term.

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The relentless pursuit of justice was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with support from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the Richland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie prosecuted the case with unwavering determination.

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This sentencing is a testament to the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which has been at the forefront of combating child sexual exploitation and abuse since 2006. For more information on this vital program, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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