Memphis, TN - Osbie Antonio Sea, a/k/a “Money," “Hard Money," and “Mr. Money," 30, of Memphis, TN was indicted today by a federal grand jury on one count of sex trafficking of a minor and two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III.
According to information alleged in the indictment and in a criminal complaint filed on April 18, 2013, Sea used a variety of means to promote his criminal activities including flyers, Facebook pages and YouTube videos.
One of the individuals he came in contact with was a 14 year-old (identified only as M.S. to protect her identity) from a Memphis suburb. While she was shopping at a K-Mart in the Raleigh area of Memphis, Sea introduced himself to her as “Money," handed her a flyer, and told M.S. to call him if she wanted to make some money.
A short time later, following an argument with a family member, M.S. ran away from home and called Sea. He first took her to his apartment and later to the Extended Stay America near the intersection of Kirby Parkway and Poplar Avenue. According to M.S., Sea knew she was underage, but she was instructed to tell everyone that she was 18 because “he knew he could get in trouble."
While at the hotel, Sea instructed her on how to pose for pictures, which were posted on the internet site Backpage on March 1, 2013, the day after she had called him. M.S. stated she had had intercourse with at least two individuals and that Sea had taken all the money.
On April 15, 2013, officers of the Memphis Police Department responded to an incident at Sea’s apartment between Sea and L.C. (the mother of his child and another sex trafficking victim). L.C.’s sister alleged that Sea and L.C argued over a car they had recently purchased. During the argument, Sea struck L.C. with his fist and knocked her on the bed. At that point, he climbed on top of her and began to choke her with his hands. When L.C.’s sister arrived and they attempted to leave, Sea grabbed the couple’s four-month old child and began choking the child by squeezing the child’s throat between his forearm and chest.
He then jumped over the car to attack L.C.’s sister, threatening to “smash her face in and break her jaw." L.C.’s sister stabbed Sea in the arm, which gave her, L.C., and the child time to get into the car, lock themselves in, and wait for the police to arrive. If convicted, Sea faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, and could receive up to life in prison.
This case was investigated by FBI and the Memphis Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathon Skrmetti is representing the government. #
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
