Jeremie J. Tate, Sex Trafficking, Louisiana 2012

Baton Rouge, LA – In a shocking case of human exploitation, Jeremie J. Tate and Roxanne R. Merritt have been slapped with sex trafficking charges, according to a federal indictment.

Tate, 38, of Zachary, Louisiana, and Merritt, 37, of Greenwell Springs, Louisiana, were taken into custody by the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Houston, Texas, last Friday night.

The indictment alleges that between November 2012 and November 2013, Tate and Merritt conspired to use interstate facilities, including telephones and the internet, to promote and manage Tate’s prostitution business.

The business involved multiple prostitutes, including a minor female, and Tate allegedly used intimidation and manipulation to ensure he received most of the proceeds earned by his sex workers.

Tate is accused of enticing a prostitute to travel from Baton Rouge to Las Vegas to engage in prostitution.

U.S. Attorney Walt Green stated, ‘Sex trafficking is one of the highest priorities of this office and the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office. We will continue to aggressively pursue such matters, along with our dedicated federal, state, and local partners and the Human Trafficking Task Force for the Middle District of Louisiana.’

Tate faces up to 50 years in prison, a $1,250,000 fine, forfeiture of the proceeds from his crimes, restitution, and up to 5 years of supervised release following a term of imprisonment.

Merritt faces up to 15 years in prison, a $750,000 fine, restitution, and up to 3 years of supervised release following a term of imprisonment.

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