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Latin King Gang Member Convicted of Sex Trafficking in Miami
MIAMI, FL – A federal jury has convicted a Latin King gang member of sex trafficking, obstruction, and use of interstate facilities in aid of racketeering, according to a recent indictment.
Jason Wagner, aka ‘King Ace,’ 41, of Miami, Florida, was convicted of two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, obstruction of sex trafficking enforcement, and use of interstate facilities in aid of racketeering.
The convictions followed a seven-day jury trial in front of Chief District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga in Miami. Wagner was found guilty of forcing several women to engage in commercial sex since as early as 2003, including adults and minors.
To make his victims engage in commercial sex, Wagner locked them in his apartments, took their personal identification documents, subjected them to violence and threats of violence, and provided them with drugs. Wagner initially came to the attention of law enforcement after a woman alerted a good Samaritan that she was being held hostage in Wagner’s home.
After Wagner’s arrest, he repeatedly asked the woman to drop the charges and refuse to testify in court. Sentencing is set for January 12, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in Miami. Wagner faces up to life in prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Miami-Dade Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lacee Elizabeth Monk and Jessica Kahn Obenauf prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. If you suspect human trafficking or want to report a tip, call 1-888-373-7888, text ‘BeFree’ (233733), or live chat at HumanTraffickingHotline.org.
The National Hotline is not managed by law enforcement, immigration, or an investigative agency. Correspondence with the National Hotline is confidential, and you may request assistance or report a tip anonymously.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 22-cr-20124.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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