Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for Sex Trafficking of Children in Metro-Detroit
DETROIT – A Las Vegas man who sex trafficked children in metro-Detroit while visiting the area in December 2020 was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge Devin J. Kowalski, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
- Jquon Wroten, 31, pled guilty to two counts of sex trafficking of a minor in April 2023.
- Wroten was sentenced today by United States District Judge Bernard A. Friedman.
Investigation and Arrest
- Law enforcement first began investigating Wroten while attempting to locate two minor females who had run away from the Lansing area in late 2020.
- A relative of one of the minors contacted law enforcement with information and expressed fears that the minors were being trafficked in the Detroit area.
- Law enforcement recovered the minors from a motel room in Southfield, Michigan in December 2020 and learned that Wroten had recruited the minors to work for him after meeting them in a local motel while he was in town.
- Wroten and an adult female associate took the minors to a local beauty supply store and bought items in an effort to make them look older.
- Wroten then set up a commercial sex date for the minors at a residence in metro-Detroit and drove the minors to the date, where they engaged in commercial sex with multiple men.
- Wroten took proceeds from the sex trafficking for his own use.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This case highlights the importance of addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. Specifically, it aligns with the following SDGs:
- SDG 5: Gender Equality – By combating sex trafficking, this case contributes to achieving gender equality by protecting young girls from exploitation and abuse.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The investigation and prosecution of this case aim to eliminate forced labor and promote decent work for all individuals.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The successful arrest and sentencing of Jquon Wroten demonstrate the commitment to ensuring justice and strong institutions that protect the rights of children.
Statements from Officials
“The sex trafficking of children is a hideous crime that preys on some of our district’s most vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “The court’s sentence today is a just punishment and will prevent the defendant from further victimizing children here or anywhere else.”
“Protecting young people from dangerous predators is a top priority for the FBI in Michigan and across the country,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Mr. Wroten is an example of how manipulative these criminals can be. I commend the work of the special agents, deputies, police officers, and prosecutors who worked to make our children safer by ensuring he remains behind bars for a significant period of time.”
Investigative Agencies and Prosecution
- This case was investigated by the following agencies:
- FBI Detroit Division
- FBI Las Vegas Division
- FBI San Francisco Division
- SEMTEC (Southwest Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes)
- State of Michigan Children’s Protective Services
- The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan Sweeney Bean and Eaton Brown.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.
– Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.
– Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: justice.gov
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
