A Hardin woman accused of sex trafficking a minor has been arraigned in court, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced. The defendant, Veronica Clarice Baker, 29, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging her with one count of sex trafficking of a minor.
The indictment alleges that in or before August 2022, in Billings, the defendant knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, maintained, patronized, and solicited, by any means an individual, Jane Doe 1, knowing and in reckless disregard that Jane Doe 1 was under the age of 18, to engage in a commercial sex act.
If convicted of the crime charged in the indictment, Baker faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum term of life, a $250,000 fine, and five years to lifetime supervised release.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the government. The FBI conducted the investigation.
The indictment is merely an accusation, and Baker is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is pending further proceedings, and Baker was detained pending further proceedings. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus is prosecuting the case.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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