OMAHA, Neb. — Particular Agent in Cost of Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) Kansas Metropolis Katherine Greer and Performing United States Legal professional Steven Russell introduced that Sidney Marker, 28, of Seward, Nebraska, was sentenced in an Omaha federal courtroom Nov. 14 for conspiracy to intercourse visitors minors following an HSI and regulation enforcement associate investigation.
Chief Decide Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced Marker to 180 months of imprisonment. There is no such thing as a parole within the federal jail system. After her launch from jail, Marker will serve 5 years of supervised launch and might be required to register as a intercourse offender.
On Nov. 8, Chief Decide Rossiter sentenced Marker’s codefendant, Carney Turner, 42, of Omaha, to life imprisonment on one rely of conspiracy to intercourse visitors minors, three counts of intercourse trafficking of a minor and two counts of enticement of a minor. Chief Decide Rossiter additionally sentenced codefendant Julisha Biggs, 20, of Omaha, to 87 months of imprisonment for her position within the conspiracy.
Following these sentences, Greer acknowledged, “Criminals like these sentenced in the present day are extra involved with their very own greed than the horrific circumstances they search to show minors to. This sentencing ought to ship a robust message that HSI and our regulation enforcement companions are dedicated to looking for, dismantling and bringing to justice those that search to perpetrate intercourse trafficking and youngster exploitation crimes in opposition to minors.”
Legislation enforcement started investigating the trio in September 2020 after discovering digital messages between a minor feminine and Turner throughout a separate intercourse trafficking investigation. The minor feminine was interviewed and reported that she had been intercourse trafficked by Turner for roughly three months and that Turner had saved cash from the intercourse gross sales. In October 2020, a second minor feminine reported that she had been sexually assaulted by a person in a lodge room after Turner introduced her to the lodge and paid her to satisfy with the person. In November 2020, a 3rd minor feminine was reported lacking from her foster dwelling and regulation enforcement noticed that she was being posted in on-line intercourse commercials with a telephone quantity related to Turner.
Legislation enforcement uncovered proof that confirmed Marker met Turner whereas Turner was serving a state sentence and Marker was employed as a case employee in the identical correctional facility. Marker went on to work as a foster care specialist and household help specialist.
After Turner’s launch from jail, Marker, Turner and Biggs resided collectively in an house in Ralston, Nebraska. Turner recruited, marketed and organized industrial intercourse gross sales of minors between roughly January 2020 and February 2021. The intercourse gross sales passed off at inns in and round Omaha, in addition to on the house Marker leased. At the least one of many minors additionally stayed on the house for a time period. Marker offered automobiles to move the minors to inns for industrial intercourse acts and assisted with renting lodge rooms. Biggs recruited the minor who was reported lacking in November 2020 to work for Turner.
This case was introduced as a part of Mission Secure Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Division of Justice in Could 2006 to fight youngster sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Workplaces and the Prison Division’s Baby Exploitation and Obscenity Part, Mission Secure Childhood marshals federal, state and native sources to raised find, apprehend and prosecute people who exploit youngsters by way of the Web, in addition to to determine and rescue victims.
This case was investigated by HSI, the Omaha Police Division and the Nebraska Legal professional Common’s Workplace.
HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety, answerable for investigating transnational crime and threats — particularly these prison organizations that exploit the worldwide infrastructure by which worldwide commerce, journey and finance transfer. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 workers consists of greater than 6,800 particular brokers assigned to 225 cities all through the USA, and 93 abroad places in 56 nations. HSI’s worldwide presence represents DHS’ largest investigative regulation enforcement presence overseas and one of many largest worldwide footprints in U.S. regulation enforcement.
Be taught extra about HSI’s youngster exploitation mission, on Twitter @HSIKansasCity.