Eddie Lewis West III, Sex Trafficking, Oregon 2020

Sex Trafficking Bust in Oregon: Eddie Lewis West III Sentenced to 8 Years and 8 Months in Prison

A Multnomah County, Oregon man has been sentenced to federal prison for transporting an adult victim from California to Oregon and selling access to her for sex.

Eddie Lewis West III, 37, was sentenced to 104 months in prison and a three years' supervised release.

The crime took place in April 2019 when West knowingly transported an adult victim across state lines, from California to Bend, with the intent of posting the victim on a dating website called Skip the Games for the sale of sexual services.

Local police saw the ad and set up an undercover meeting with West, leading to his arrest.

Further investigation revealed that the victim felt trapped in an abusive relationship with West and feared for her safety. After West was arrested in September 2020 in a related assault case, the victim felt safe enough to come forward and speak with authorities about West's crimes.

On October 20, 2020, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging West with sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion and transportation of a person across state lines with the intent of having the person engage in prostitution.

On August 3, 2021, he pleaded guilty to the latter charge.

The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Tigard Police Department and Bend Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalie K. Wight.

Human trafficking is a serious federal crime where individuals are compelled by force, fraud, or coercion to engage in commercial sex, labor, or domestic servitude against their will.

If you or someone you know is in danger, please call 911. If you are a human trafficking victim or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting 233733.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/oregon-man-sentenced-federal-prison-sex-trafficking