Joseph Price, Sex Trafficking of a Minor, California 2020

Child Sex Trafficker Receives Fifteen Years in Federal Prison

San Diego, California - A 24-year-old man was sentenced in federal court today for sex trafficking a minor in San Diego in July and August 2019.

Joseph Price was sentenced to fifteen years in custody by U.S. District Judge Larry Alan Burns. According to court documents, Price caused a 15-year-old girl to engage in commercial sex acts on approximately 11 occasions.

Price also admitted to meeting two additional minor females in Texas over 'Instagram' and then encouraging them to engage in commercial sex acts. One of these girls also engaged in commercial sex acts in Texas and sent the money she made to Price.

'Sex trafficking of teenagers targets some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community, and leaves in its wake trauma that can affect victims for the rest of their lives,' said U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer, Jr.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is deeply committed to ensuring that justice is done for the victims of these horrible crimes. Brewer praised prosecutor Katherine McGrath and the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force for working hard to protect children.

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section. Formed in 2019 by U.S. Attorney Brewer, the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking.

The defendant was charged with 18 U.S.C. § 1591, Sex Trafficking of a Minor, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and at least five years of supervised release.

The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/child-sex-trafficker-receives-fifteen-years-federal-prison