⏱ 2 min read
Marcus Keon Ruffin, a 36-year-old Petersburg man, has been convicted of sex trafficking children, transporting a minor for prostitution, and producing and distributing child sexual abuse material. The crimes occurred in the Richmond area, where Ruffin recruited victims online and through other means, promising them weekly income and upfront payments. However, evidence showed that he paid negligible amounts compared to what he promised. Ruffin’s arrest on November 30, 2024, during a traffic stop, led to the discovery of a handgun in his jacket, which he cannot legally possess as a convicted felon.
Ruffin’s victims included minors who were transported to the Richmond area to work in prostitution. He demanded that they provide him with nude or sexually explicit images and videos, which he then distributed online to advertise them as sex workers. The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, Amtrak Police Department, and Virginia State Police.
The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation. Ruffin faces up to life in prison when sentenced on December 16. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Theisen and Brian R. Hood prosecuted the case.
The conviction is a significant victory in the fight against human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking of children. It highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the need for continued efforts to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Human Trafficking
- Defendant: Virginia
- Location: VA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Human TraffickingHuman TraffickingHuman TraffickingHuman Trafficking