Six Indicted in Child Sex Trafficking Conspiracy – Face Life in Prison if Convicted

FORT WORTH, Texas — Six members and associates of the Polywood Crips street gang have been indicted on federal charges tied to a brutal child sex trafficking ring that exploited underage girls and adult women through violence, coercion, and manipulation. The indictment, unsealed today, charges Chad Johnson, a/k/a “Ocho Hood Fame,” 24; Diwone Nobles, a/k/a “Pooh,” 32; Audry Lane, a/k/a “Spud,” 29; Deon Bonner, a/k/a “Spanish Fly,” 26; Stanley Johnson, a/k/a “Pee Wee,” 24; and Katelyn Michelle Ward, a/k/a “KD,” 24, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking of children, and multiple counts involving force, fraud, or coercion. If convicted, all six face life in prison.

The indictment alleges a sprawling criminal enterprise that operated from at least June 1, 2013, until July 21, 2016, during which the defendants recruited, transported, and controlled female victims — some under 18 — for commercial sex. Using threats, beatings, and psychological control, the accused ran a pimp-controlled network where victims were forced to perform sex acts and hand over every dollar earned. One minor victim was instructed by Nobles, Bonner, and Chad Johnson to charge $120 for a half hour and $180 for a full hour — all proceeds funneled directly to the defendants.

Chad Johnson faces the most severe charges: two counts of sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion; one count of sex trafficking of children through force, fraud, or coercion; and one count of sex trafficking of children. Diwone Nobles and Audry Lane also face multiple child trafficking charges, while Bonner and Stanley Johnson each face two counts of sex trafficking of children. Stanley Johnson allegedly posted ads featuring a minor’s photo on Backpage.com, controlling her entire operation and seizing all earnings.

One adult victim described repeated assaults and rape at the hands of Nobles, who kept her earnings and monitored her through a phone used for Backpage.com advertisements. She was forced to travel for sex acts, including a trip to Austin where she made enough money to buy a car — every cent of which was taken from her. Fear kept her compliant; witnesses say Nobles and Chad Johnson demonstrated violent tendencies, with Johnson seen assaulting another woman for disobedience.

Three co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty. On October 17, 2016, Jessica Arnold, 23; Serrah Arnold, a/k/a “Kristen,” 28; and Alvin Lane, a/k/a “Spank,” entered pleas before U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor. Alvin Lane admitted to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children, while the Arnold sisters each pleaded guilty to using interstate facilities — including phones and the internet — to support the racketeering enterprise.

The case was investigated by a joint task force including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Fort Worth Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas announced the charges, underscoring the federal crackdown on gangs exploiting vulnerable youth. The defendants remain in custody as the case moves toward trial, where the full horror of their alleged crimes will be laid bare.

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