Mark Jay Albrecht, Commercial Sex Activity & False Statements, Montana 2021

A convicted Wyoming man made a living out of engaging in commercial sex, as per an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS, and Billings Police Department in Billings, Montana.

Mark Jay Albrecht, 66, of Gillette, Wyoming, on February 20 was found guilty by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, of use of facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering and making a false statement as charged in a fourth superseding indictment. The charges were related to his role in arranging for commercial sex in Billings.

According to court documents, law enforcement responded to a report of possible commercial sex activity at the Quality Inn in Billings on April 21, 2021. Billings police officers knocked on the door of the suspect room and announced themselves. A woman, identified as Ashley Stella, of Reno, Nevada, and Albrecht emerged. Albrecht was seen buttoning up his shirt as he exited the room. Albrecht initially denied to police and FBI officers that he was in the room for a sexual encounter and offered various stories about why he was there.

Albrecht eventually acknowledged going to the room to engage in commercial sex. He explained how he used a social media website to arrange for commercial sex and how he responded to the woman using his cellphone. He showed law enforcement the cellphone messages setting up the meeting. Stella acknowledged in interviews that Albrecht was in the room for commercial sex, and that the minor traveled with her for the purpose of commercial sex.

Albrecht made false statements to federal investigators, claiming he did not go to the Quality Inn for commercial sex, but rather offered another story about why he was communicating with Stella. This led to Albrecht being charged with making a false statement, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for March 20 and continued Albrecht’s release pending further proceedings. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich praised and thanked the federal prosecutors, as well as the FBI, IRS, and Billings Police Department for their tenacity in holding Albrecht accountable for his deceit.

Albrecht faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release on each crime. This case is also related to the sex trafficking of a minor, for which the trafficker was previously held accountable by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/federal-judge-convicts-wyoming-man-role-commercial-sex-activity-billings-making-false