CINCINNATI, OH – Four individuals facing human trafficking conspiracy and attempt charges made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court today. Each of the defendants is charged with a crime punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, Doyenn J. Clayborne, 34; ChaKirah Ala Shae Stephens, 22; Kionte Hashiem Anderson, 19; and Joleen Marie Smith, 44; were arrested on Oct. 29. as part of a FBI and Blue Ash Police Department operation targeting human trafficking.
Blue Ash police officers and FBI agents encountered the defendants as part of the operation at a Blue Ash hotel.
It is alleged the four defendants conspired to sell 16-year-old minor females for sex.
In addition to audio recordings of the defendants discussing logistics for providing underage females for sex, law enforcement officials discovered condoms (both used an unused), sexual devices, bottles of lubricant and a firearm in the defendants’ hotel room.
Officers and agents also encountered a 16-year-old female victim who had allegedly been brought to the hotel to perform sex acts for money, a portion of which would be given to the defendants.
Conspiring to sex traffic a minor is punishable by up to life in prison and attempting to sex traffic a minor is punishable by 10 years up to life in prison. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentence.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Blue Ash Police Chief Scott Noel announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.