A disturbing case of sex trafficking has come to an end in Michigan, with a local woman being sentenced to prison for her role in the crime.
Latesha Gardner, 30, of Flint, Michigan, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor.
According to court documents, Gardner and her boyfriend, Charles Cunigan, conspired to sex traffic a minor victim from around December 2021 through around March 2022. The victim was transported across state lines from Tennessee to Illinois, Louisiana, and Texas for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts.
Gardner used force, fraud, or coercion to carry out the conspiracy, teaching the victim how to pose sexy for photos and using those photos to advertise the victim online for commercial sex. She also participated in commercial sex encounters with the victim and instructed the victim on what to do during the encounters.
When the victim did not comply with Cunigan’s demands, he would beat the victim, and on occasion, he directed Gardner to use physical force against the victim as well. In one instance, Cunigan punched and kicked the victim, and Gardner hit the victim with a liquor bottle and a high-heeled shoe.
Gardner was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $9,750 in restitution to the victim. After her release from prison, she will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
In related news, Cunigan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion on June 25, and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24.
Related Federal Cases
- Live Nation, Antitrust Lawsuit, New York NY, 2024 · Oklahoma
- Ticketmaster, Antitrust Violation, New York NY, 2023 · Oklahoma
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Oklahoma
- Amgen Inc, Pharmaceutical Misrepresentation, California 2024 · Oklahoma
- Steve P. Kennedy, Cocaine Distribution, Missouri 2024 · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex Crimes|Human TraffickingSex Crimes|Human TraffickingSex Crimes|Human TraffickingSex Crimes|Human Trafficking