Derek Lamar Reddick, 28, of Boynton Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison yesterday for sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to transport a minor for prostitution. The sentence, handed down in Tallahassee, marks the final chapter in a sordid case involving multiple defendants who exploited underage girls through online advertisements and motel-based prostitution rings.
After serving his sentence, Reddick will spend 20 years under court-ordered supervised release and must register as a sex offender for life. The case, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, exposed a network of exploitation that spanned state lines and relied on prepaid debit cards, rental vehicles, and digital ads to move victims and profit from their abuse.
Reddick’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced: Christine Thurman, 30, of Thomasville, Georgia, received 126 months in prison in July 2015 for conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor. Timothy Gosier, 28, also of Thomasville, was sentenced in October 2016 to 36 months for conspiracy and coercion to engage in prostitution. Investigators tied Gosier directly to transporting victims on multiple occasions.
The criminal activity first surfaced in January 2014 when an undercover investigator responded to an online ad featuring a minor. At a Tallahassee motel, agents watched as Reddick and Thurman left a room adjacent to the one where the victim was set to meet the undercover officer. Both rooms—registered to Reddick and Thurman—contained evidence of prostitution, victim belongings, and documentation linking the defendants to the operation. Reddick was later tied to prepaid cards used to pay for ads and rentals.
A second victim emerged in May 2014, advertised online and found at the same motel. Surveillance showed Reddick dropping off the girl before a customer entered the room. Investigators arrested the customer inside and apprehended Reddick shortly after, blocks away. The pattern was clear: minors were being moved, advertised, and sold—while Reddick and his associates pulled the strings.
U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova, whose office led the prosecution, called the case a stark example of successful federal-local collaboration. “This case is an example of the positive impact local and federal law enforcement officers have when they join efforts to protect children from predators,” Canova said. HSI Tampa and FBI Jacksonville echoed the sentiment, vowing relentless pursuit of those who traffic children for profit. The case was investigated by HSI, FBI, and Tallahassee Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
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- Hernandez-Velazquez Gets 15+ Years for Brutal Sex Trafficking · Mississippi
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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