CHICAGO —(ENEWSPF)–November 2, 2016. A criminal complaint unsealed in federal court today charges a Chicago man with sex trafficking for allegedly engaging in paid sexual acts with an underage girl.
WILLIAM WHITLEY paid the minor to engage in sex acts with him on multiple occasions last year, according to the complaint. Whitley paid the girl between $60 and $150 for each of the sexual encounters, the complaint states. Whitley also took nude photographs of the girl and sent the pictures to her via text message, the complaint states.
Whitley, 60, was arrested Tuesday afternoon. He made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez, who ordered him to remain in federal custody. Judge Valdez scheduled a detention hearing for Nov. 7, 2016, at 11:00 a.m.
The two-count complaint charges Whitley with sex trafficking and production of child pornography.
The complaint was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Carol Stream Police Department assisted in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Streicker, Elizabeth Pozolo and Michelle Petersen.
According to the charges, a woman identified in the complaint as “Individual A” introduced the girl to Whitley. The victim was 14 years old when Whitley paid her to engage in sex acts with him, according to the complaint.
The complaint also describes how Individual A introduced another female victim to Whitley. This other victim was 16 years old when she encountered Whitley at a party hosted by Individual A, according to the complaint. Individual A’s party was attended by older men and young runaway girls, the complaint states. Whitley paid the 16-year-old girl to engage in sex acts, the complaint states.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The sex trafficking count is punishable by a statutory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, and a maximum of life. Production of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 15 years, and a maximum of 30 years. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Source: http://justice.gov
