A Dallas man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor.
According to a June 2 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement news release, Laderrick Dedemon Smith, 23, will also be required to serve a term of supervised release of 15 years following his release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Smith's conviction came following an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigation Dallas led North Texas Trafficking Task Force.
“Child sex trafficking is one of the most deviant crimes we investigate in our agency,” acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Miller of HSI Dallas said, according to the release. “The work of our law enforcement partners of the North Texas Trafficking Task Force has proven to be invaluable in removing these dangerous predators from our communities, while at the same time providing much needed assistance to those victimized by their perpetrators.”
Special agents discovered Smith was trafficking the minor victim and other individuals for sex work out of a hotel room in Plano, Texas. The release states Smith posted ads and photographs of the victims on the internet, forcing them to engage in prostitution under threat of bodily injury.
According to the release, Smith kept the victims under his control, going so far as to install tracking devices on their cell phones to prevent them from leaving without his permission.
“Protecting children from predators like Smith is one of our top priorities,” U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston said in the release. “I’m proud of the work our partners at the North Texas Trafficking Task Force do hunting for those who prey on children. He who harms a child will suffer the wrath of law enforcement and will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Individuals with information to report on suspected child predators and suspicious activity are urged to call HSI toll-free at 1-866-347-2423, or by completing an online tip form.
