Related Federal Cases
Columbus Pimp Indicted for Trafficking Women
Lerenzo M. White, aka ‘Justice’ and ‘Justin,’ 30, has been charged with five counts of human trafficking in a federal indictment returned in Columbus, Ohio. The indictment alleges that White used force, fraud, or coercion to traffic at least five females for the purpose of commercial sex acts.
According to the indictment, White recruited and harbored women from at least July 2013 through May 2016. It is alleged that he used violence and the threat of drug withdrawal, namely heroin, to force young women to prostitute themselves at various hotels and residences throughout Ohio for his financial benefit.
The indictment was returned January 26, and White was arrested yesterday by members of the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. White made his initial appearance in court today, where the indictment was unsealed.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, commended the investigation of this case by the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force includes authorities from the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Columbus Division of Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office.
Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion is punishable by a range of 15 years up to life in prison. White’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Hill and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rausch, Director of the Franklin County Special Victims Unit.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. White is currently being held pending trial.
If you have any information regarding this case, you are encouraged to contact the ICE HSI Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423).
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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