Craig Jerome Gadley, Jr. and Joshua Alexander Smith, Sex Trafficking, Texas 2013

FORT WORTH, Texas — Two men from Tarrant County have been sentenced to 15 years in prison for their roles in a sex trafficking ring that targeted two women, ages 16 and 19.

Craig Jerome Gadley, Jr., 23, and Joshua Alexander Smith, 25, both of Mansfield, Texas, were sentenced on June 3, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means, after they pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges.

Gadley pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor, while Smith pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion.

According to plea documents, Gadley met the 16-year-old woman, identified as Jane Doe #1, while she was working as a stripper at a night club in Fort Worth. He promised her that she could earn more money by working for him, and she eventually began working as a prostitute for Gadley in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Gadley took photographs of Jane Doe #1 in lingerie and in the nude and posted advertisements of her on websites used to promote and advertise commercial prostitution. He drove her to hotel rooms in the DFW area and directed her to have sex with men for money.

Sarah R. Saldaña, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, announced the sentences today. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the North Texas Trafficking Task Force, including the Arlington, Dallas and Fort Worth Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wolfe was in charge of the prosecution.

Gadley's accomplice, Joshua Alexander Smith, also pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges. Smith met the 19-year-old woman, identified as Jane Doe #2, and convinced her to work as a prostitute for him. He placed ads for Jane Doe #2 on websites that advertised prostitution and received all of the money she earned.

Jane Doe #2 was fearful of Smith, who choked her, held her against a wall, poured drinks on her head, pulled her hair and threatened to harm her. He also kept pushing her to work longer hours and acquire more clients.

The 15-year prison sentences for Gadley and Smith are a reminder of the severe consequences of sex trafficking. It's a crime that affects not only the victims but also their families and communities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/tarrant-county-men-sentenced-sex-trafficking-case