Our Videos

October 13, 11

NEWS / Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Coerced Sex Trafficking of a Child


KANSAS CITY, MO—Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to selling a child victim into prostitution.

Eric Gathings, also known as “Pulu,” 37, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to the charge contained in a March 1, 2011, federal indictment.

Gathings admitted that in 2009 he recruited a homeless minor to engage in prostitution for his financial benefit. Gathings provided housing for the minor victim, but took her earnings after requiring that she sell herself for sex.

After discharging a sawed-off shotgun in his front yard, Gathings was incarcerated in state custody. During this time of incarceration, he continued to sell the minor victim through the assistance of an organized prostitution ring called Aleesha Angels. Gathings had the minor victim provide him with her prostitution earnings to assist him with bond and later to provide him with funding for his prisoner’s account.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Gathings is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

By pleading guilty today, Gathings also agreed to forfeit to the government $10,000 that was derived from commercial sex trafficking. Gathings must also pay restitution to his victim, including future restitution for counseling and medical costs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia L. Cordes. It was investigated by the FBI and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, with assistance from the Cole County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the Human Trafficking Rescue Project.

http://www.fbi.gov/kansascity/press-releases/2011/columbia-man-pleads-guilty-to-coerced-sex-trafficking-of-a-child

 




Testimonials

Niranjan Sujay
I recently used LOGOS INTERNATIONAL for the translation of my bachelor’s certificate, and I couldn’t...
Read More »
Katia Nagata

As a foreigner, I needed a certified translation, so I called the DOE to give me a list of the ce...
Read More »
AnnaMaria Realbuto
Thank you for all your assistance and efficiency...
Read More »
Kateryna Melnychenko
Thanks a lot Anton!...
Read More »




FAQ

I want my fiance (fiancee) to come to the United States to marry me. I know that I have to file I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance (e), so my fiance (fiancee) can get a K-1 Fiance (e) visa.
Read More »
How much does an apostille cost?
Read More »
What document can serve as conclusive evidence that a company has current legal status?
Read More »
What is the Local Boater Option?
Read More »






News

May 29, 25
New Mexico sees uptick in birth certificate applications
Read More »
May 23, 25
Florida fast-tracks hospice death certificates
Read More »
May 14, 25
Florida woman denied Real ID over missing marriage certificate
Read More »
May 7, 25
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signs bill adding gender marker to death certificates
Read More »