U.S. Attorney seeks the public’s help; says the search for more victims is “ongoing"
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that RANDY JONAL SCHENCK (a/k/a RuRu, a/k/a “Shaq"), age 38, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on February 7, 2020 by a federal grand jury in a 12-count Indictment with interstate transportation and use of an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1952(a)(2), (a)(3) (Counts 1 through 6), wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 (Counts 7 through 8), sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591 (Count 9), transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2421 (Counts 10 through 11), and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A (Count 12).
According to the Indictment, SCHENCK met Dominique Berry in New Orleans in about early 2013 and soon developed a romantic relationship. Thereafter, Berry began working for an escort agency under SCHECNK’s supervision, often engaging in prostitution activities. SCHENCK and Berry travelled nationally engaging in their prostitution scheme, including California, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Tennessee, and Georgia. SCHENCK and Berry posted advertisements containing photographs of Berry on multiple location-specific online classified ad service websites and social media applications that invited interested individuals to contact Berry to schedule sexual interactions, many of which were explicitly commercial. In the advertisements, Berry had multiple aliases, including “Desiree Knowles," “Jasmine Collins," and “Stephanie."
As part of the scheme, SCHENCK caused Berry to arrange “out call" dates with customers at their residences. Once there, at SCHENCK’s direction, Berry spiked the beverages of customers, causing them to become incapacitated. Once unconscious, SCHENCK and Berry would steal the victims’ valuables. SCHENCK threatened, slapped, struck, beat, and choked Berry for the purpose of establishing dominion over her, controlling her behavior, and ensuring her compliance with his instructions. These aggressive acts usually occurred when SCHENCK believed Berry was not performing her role effectively, was not stealing enough, was not inclined to work, or tried to leave SCHENCK.
Between at least late 2013 and September 2017, SCHENCK and Berry implemented the scheme numerous times throughout the United States, including in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. SCHENCK and Berry were arrested at a hotel in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on Sept. 13, 2017. When law enforcement authorities found Berry at the hotel, she was bleeding from her nose, had a swollen lip and puncture consistent with her teeth biting through her lip, and black electrical tape around one of her arms.
According to the Indictment, on about Feb. 24, 2017, Berry met S.A., a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, through a social media application. After exchanging text messages and phone calls, Berry and S.A. agreed to meet at S.A.’s apartment. Thereafter, SCHENCK dropped Berry off at S.A.’s apartment. While at S.A.’s apartment, Berry placed drugs designed to incapacitate S.A., including multiple anti-psychotic medications, into S.A.’s beverages without his knowledge or authorization. After S.A. lost consciousness, SCHENCK and Berry stole S.A.’s valuables. On Feb. 25, 2017, SCHECNK and Berry used S.A.’s debit card to make multiple purchases in the New Orleans area. Additionally, on Feb. 25, 2017, detectives with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a wellness check at S.A.’s residence and discovered his dead body. Toxicology tests found the presence of anti-psychotic medications in S.A.’s body and determined that they contributed to his death.
If you believe you are a victim of these criminal activities, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324), and reference this case.
If convicted, SCHENCK faces a mandatory minimum of fifteen (15) years in prison up to maximum term of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to a lifetime of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment per count. SCHENCK may also be required to register as a sex offender.
U. S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter and expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg, supervisor of the Public Corruption Unit, and Elizabeth Privitera, supervisor of the Violent Crime Unit, are in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
