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Date: 05-23-2018
Case Style:
United States of America v. Shawn Paul Paisley
Western District of Virginia Federal Courthouse - Roanoke, Virginia
Case Number: 7:17-cr-00032-EKD
Judge: EKD
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia (Roanoke County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Laura Day Rottenborn and Matthew Miller
Defendant's Attorney: Randy Virlin Cargill - FPD
Description: Roanoke, VA - Salem Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking
A Salem man, who believed he was enticing a 15-year-old girl to engage in prostitution while actually communicating online with an undercover Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy, was sentenced May 18, 2018 in U.S. District Court in Roanoke on a federal sex-trafficking charge.
Shawn Paul Paisley, 48, was sentenced May 18, 2018 in U.S. District Court in Roanoke to 96 months in prison. Paisley previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
“As this case indicates, it is imperative for parents, teachers, and caregivers to be vigilant and protect our children from the dangers that lurk on the internet,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today. “Fortunately, in this case, proactive enforcement by a local police officer stopped a predator before he could act.”
In August of 2016, while posing as a 15-year-old female, a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a Craigslist advertisement posted by Paisley seeking a “personal/casual” encounter. Paisley gave the “female minor” a cell phone number and the two exchanged text messages. During the course of their text message exchanges, Paisley told the “female minor” that he ran an escort service and that his girls made good money. Paisley provided standard prices for the services the escorts offered and the two arranged to meet in order for the “female minor” to perform oral sex on Paisley.
Paisley left his home in Salem, Virginia and drove to Franklin County, Virginia to meet the “minor female.” When Paisley arrived in Franklin County, he was arrested.
Paisley admitted that he helped run an escort service, which involved recruiting females to engage in sex for pay. He helped arrange for encounters between recruited female prostitutes and the customers and took a portion of the fees paid for making the arrangements. Paisley recalls that at least two females he previously helped recruit were 17-years-old.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to 96 months' in prison.
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Defendant's Experts:
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