May 6, 11

NEWS / Toledo Man Charged with Running Criminal Enterprise from Behind Bars While Awaiting Trial on Sex Tra

New criminal charges were filed against Roy Calhoun, a Toledo man awaiting trial on charges that he was engaged in sex trafficking of minors, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

“This defendant is accused of trying to continue to run his criminal enterprise from behind bars,” Dettelbach said. “He is charged with trafficking in children and now distributing drugs and intimidating witnesses. There is no place for this kind of behavior in society.”

Calhoun, 28, aka “Lucky” was arrested in November 2010 and accused of recruiting females, including minors, to work as prostitutes between 2007 and 2010. Calhoun would beat and assault the females who worked for him and threatened those who left or attempted to quit working as prostitutes, according to the indictment.

The two additional indictments stem from activities that took place after Calhoun was arrested.

A superseding indictment was filed adding a count of obstruction of justice. Previously charged were Calhoun, Marissa M. Mayers, and Damien Harris (both 22 and both of Toledo). The superseding indictment adds Shaina M. Perry, 21; Carrie L. Schuster, 23; and Velda R. Travis, 50, all of Toledo.

Calhoun, Perry, Schuster, and Travis are charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice.

In November 2010 through January 2011, Calhoun contacted Perry, Schuster, and Travis from jail and directed them to contact witnesses and potential witnesses to influence or withhold testimony, according to the indictment.

In one instance, Calhoun instructed Perry to contact the boyfriend of a potential witness and advise the boyfriend to tell that witness that she should say she was “out there doing (prostitution) on her own,” according to the indictment.

In another instance, Calhoun instructed Perry to send a message to co-defendant Marissa Mayers that “they can beat this if they stick together” and Mayers “should not make any deals” and that Perry should advise Mayers “no face no case,” according to the indictment.

A separate indictment was also filed against Calhoun, Perry, and Travis, as well as Charles Travis, Jr., aka “Chubb”, 49, of Toledo; Monica Velasquez, 35, of Fostoria, Ohio; and Justin Hill, 20, of Toledo. They are charged with conspiracy with intent to distribute Oxycodone, Oxycontin, and Percocet.

Charles Travis, Jr. and Perry are at large. The others are in custody.

Calhoun, in federal custody on the sex trafficking charge, arranged for the defendants to purchase as sell Oxycodone, Oxycontin, and Percocet pills. The defendants then split the profits from the illegal drug sales among themselves and delivered some of the proceeds to Calhoun at the Lucas County Jail, according to the indictment.

Calhoun and Vasquez also face additional charges related to their efforts to have Vasquez bring prohibited items, including tobacco and marijuana, to Calhoun while he was in custody, according to the indictment.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James V. Moroney following an investigation by the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The NWOVCACTF includes members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, Toledo Police Department, Lima Police Department, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.

A charge is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

http://www.fbi.gov/cleveland/press-releases/2011/toledo-man-charged-with-running-criminal-enterprise-from-behind-bars-while-awaiting-trial-on-sex-trafficking-charges