Antonio Ballard Faces 10 years to Life Imprisonment
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK -Antonio Ballard, 25, of Binghamton, New York, was convicted yesterday on eight counts of engaging in a sex trafficking and prostitution business involving three minor girls. The verdict followed a week-long trial, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian. Ballard faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on July 27, 2016 by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. Sentences are imposed by a judge based upon the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
"The exploitation of minors in the commercial sex trade represents inhumanity in its worst form. It violates our laws, shocks our conscience and will be vigorously prosecuted," said United States Attorney Hartunian.
"The sexual exploitation of minors will not be tolerated," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale. "Mr. Ballard's crimes are as shocking as they are heinous and thanks to the combined efforts of law enforcement, our community is safe from a depraved and dangerous man."
The evidence at trial showed that from August 2014 through December of 2014, in Broome County, New York, Ballard recruited three minor girls to engage in commercial sex acts and prostitution with men. Ballard benefitted from prostituting these minors by receiving 50% of the proceeds that they earned from performing sex acts. Using a cellular telephone, Ballard caused the minors to be photographed in sexually provocative poses and then posted these images on an internet advertising site.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI")-Albany Division, New York State Police, and the Binghamton Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
