Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Fresno Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking Minors

FRESNO, CA—United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today charging Alan Christopher Stamps, 21, of Fresno, with sex trafficking of minors.

The indictment alleges that between February and November of 2009, Stamps recruited or otherwise maintained three girls to engage in commercial sex acts, knowing they were not yet 18 years old. The victims ranged in age from to 17 years old at the time of the offense. The indictment further alleges that Stamps knowingly benefitted financially from the sex trafficking venture involving the three victims.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Enos and Elana Landau are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Stamps faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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