A Billings resident, Usman Hanif Khan, 52, has pleaded guilty to charges related to arranging commercial sex using a cell phone. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced the plea, noting that Khan admitted to using interstate commerce facilities to aid in racketeering. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided over the proceedings, with District Court Judge Susan P. Watters set to determine the final sentence after reviewing U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, and Khan was released pending further legal actions.
Court documents reveal that before April 9, 2023, Khan connected with a woman on a social media platform catering to those interested in commercial sex relationships. On or around April 9, 2023, he arranged through text messages for a commercial sex date with Jane Doe, identified as a minor. The woman transported Jane Doe to Khan's residence where they engaged in sexual activity. Following this encounter, Khan provided Jane Doe with money and coordinated her transportation back with the woman.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus is handling the prosecution of this case while the FBI conducted the investigation.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources for effective law enforcement action against offenders exploiting children online.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood initiatives and efforts against child exploitation visit Justice.gov/PSC.