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Dallas woman convicted of numerous federal child sex trafficking charges; faces life in prison

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DALLAS, TX — A Dallas woman was convicted yesterday on numerous federal child sex trafficking charges and, at sentencing, faces up to life in prison.

According to evidence presented at trial, 42-year-old Demecia Shontres Washington of Dallas, Texas, conspired with co-defendant, 35-year-old Jimmy David Washington of Lubbock, Texas, to recruit and coerce a child, who was younger than 18 years of age, to engage in commercial sex acts and to produce child pornography.

On Monday, Demecia Washington was convicted by a federal jury on charges for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; sex trafficking; conspiracy to transport for prostitution or other criminal sexual activity; transportation for prostitution or other criminal sexual activity; conspiracy to sexually exploit children; sexual exploitation of children; and distribution of child pornography.

“Demecia Washington and Jimmy Washington Jr. transported the child from Texas to New Mexico and Nevada with the intent that she engage in prostitution,” read a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Nevada.

Washington’s conviction came after a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 1, 2021.

At sentencing, she faces up to life in prison on the sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of prostitution charges with mandatory minimums of 10 years on each offense. The statutory maximum penalty for sexual exploitation of a child is 30 years in prison, with a mandatory 15 years. The maximum penalty for distribution of child pornography is 20 years, with a mandatory minimum of five years.

Co-defendant Jimmy Washington previously pleaded guilty to transportation of a minor for purposes of prostitution and was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release.

“Sex trafficking — especially when it involves preying on children and forcing them into commercial sexual exploitation — subjects victims to appalling cruelty,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Chiou. “Combatting human trafficking remains one of our office’s top priorities. Working closely with our law enforcement and community partners, our dedicated prosecutors are focused on bringing traffickers to justice and off the streets, away from victims.”

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