Tavarie Williams, Sex Trafficking, Tennessee 2020

A Nashville man has been convicted of sex trafficking a 12-year-old runaway girl, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Tavarie Williams, 40, of Nashville, was found guilty by a federal jury of sex trafficking a minor, transportation of a minor for the purpose of engaging in prostitution and criminal sexual activity. The jury, however, found Williams not guilty of a third count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm after a week-long trial.

According to evidence and testimony at trial, in June and July 2016, Williams picked up the 12-year-old runaway girl in San Antonio, Texas, and posted ads on Backpage.com advertising her for prostitution.

During this time, Williams transported the girl to Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, Tennessee, for the purpose of having sex with Backpage clients. Evidence and testimony also established that Williams engaged in sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old.

On July 29, 2016, Williams was arrested at a hotel in Franklin, Tennessee, and the 12-year-old was rescued.

Williams faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced later this year.

The case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; The U.S. Marshals Service; the Franklin Police Department; and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Juliet Aldridge and Brooke Schiferle prosecuted the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/nashville-man-convicted-sex-trafficking-12-year-old-runaway