Rodney D. King, Sex Trafficking, Hawaii 2010

A Hawaii man has been brought to justice for his role in a sex trafficking ring that preyed on vulnerable women and girls. Rodney D. King, also known as 'Shadow,' pleaded guilty to federal sex trafficking charges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.

According to the charges, King knowingly caused a minor to engage in commercial sex, used force, fraud, or coercion to cause two other women to engage in commercial sex, attempted to cause another woman to engage in commercial sex by force, fraud, or coercion, and conspired to commit sex trafficking of minors and adults by force, fraud, and coercion.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez said that King preyed on vulnerable women and girls for his own benefit, forcing them into prostitution by deplorable means. Perez emphasized the Department of Justice's commitment to prosecuting those who commit such exploitative crimes.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, King will be sentenced to 25 years in prison. Sentencing before U.S. District Judge David Ezra is scheduled for September 27, 2010.

Assistant Attorney General Perez and U.S. Attorney Nakakuni commended the FBI and the Honolulu Police Department for their work in investigating this case and rescuing some of King's victims. FBI Special Agents M.K. Itnyre and Kristin Lee investigated this case, and Trial Attorneys Edward Caspar and Kayla Bakshi of the Civil Rights Division and its Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Ching prosecuted this case for the United States.

The case highlights the importance of addressing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors will continue to work together to bring perpetrators like King to justice.

King's guilty plea marks a significant victory in the fight against sex trafficking. It serves as a reminder that those who commit such crimes will be held accountable for their actions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/hawaii-man-pleads-guilty-sex-trafficking-charges