Lima Woman Sentenced to 17 1/2 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Conspiracy
A 29-year-old Lima woman has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for her role in a sex trafficking conspiracy that involved two teenagers from Lima and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Megan Hitt, 29, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for her involvement in a sex trafficking conspiracy that took place between November 2015 and January 2016. According to court documents, Hitt conspired with others to cause the 14- and 16-year-old girls to engage in commercial sex acts in Lima and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Hitt and the others involved in the conspiracy took and posted sexually explicit photos of the girls on Backpage.com, transported the girls, rented motel rooms for them, and negotiated prices, according to court documents.
This case is part of a larger investigation into sex trafficking in Lima and surrounding areas. In recent months, several individuals have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the conspiracy, including Randy Thompson, who was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison, Shemeric Cook, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and Precious Russell, who was sentenced to nine years in prison.
The Lima Police Department, the FBI, and the Northwest Ohio Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Daniel Hurley prosecuted Hitt.
Hitt’s co-conspirator, Jacqueline Young, 54, was sentenced to four years in prison for obstructing the investigation.
The case highlights the need for continued efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable teenagers from exploitation.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Human Trafficking|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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