Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

St. Louis man indicted for alleged sex trafficking of children

ST. LOUIS -- A 58-year-old man was indicted Thursday on charges of sex trafficking and enticement of children, Acting US Attorney Michael W. Reap said.

According to an affidavit filed in court, law enforcement officers were engaged in an undercover operation to find and arrest people attempting to purchase children or their services, for commercial sex. On July 29, officers received an email in response to an advertisement that young female minors were available for sex.

That email was from James Patrick Grady, who inquired more about the ad and, over the course of exchanging several additional emails, made arrangements to meet with and presumably have sex with a 16-year-old girl. Grady was arrested shortly after arriving at a prearranged location by undercover officers.

A federal grand jury indicted Grady on one felony count of sex trafficking of children, one felony count of coercion and enticement, and one felony count of possession of child pornography. Grady was also charged with a forfeiture count which would require him to give up property that was used to facilitate the criminal activity.

If convicted, each count of sex trafficking and coercion/enticement carries a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, plus fines up to $500,000. Possession of child pornography carries a penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000.