Yusef Reynolds, 34, a former resident of Delaware, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor by force, fraud, or coercion. The sentence was announced by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Following his prison term, Reynolds will be subject to a lifetime of supervised release.
Reynolds had previously been convicted on federal charges related to sex trafficking and illegal possession of firearms in Delaware in 2012. After serving ten years in prison and being released under federal supervision in 2021, he engaged in similar criminal activities involving a minor from Massachusetts whom he met online.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson stated: “Today’s lengthy sentence is appropriate for a defendant who while on supervised release for sex trafficking a minor engaged in the same behavior—using violence and physical abuse to control a minor and force her to engage in sexual acts for his profit.” He expressed pride in the efforts made by his office to protect children.
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, emphasized the ongoing commitment of law enforcement agencies: “After serving federal prison time for sex trafficking an underage girl, Yusef Reynolds went right back to his predatory ways... The FBI will continue to work with our partners and prioritize punishing those who abuse children.”
Court documents reveal that between December 2021 and January 2022, Reynolds trafficked a 16-year-old runaway using social media platforms like Facebook. He lured her from North Carolina to Delaware with false promises and then exploited her through commercial sex acts. Reynolds used threats and violence alongside drugs to coerce the victim into compliance.
On March 29, 2024, Reynolds pleaded guilty to charges of sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud, or coercion. His case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Spaugh.
The investigation involved coordination between various law enforcement agencies including the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force as well as local authorities such as CMPD and the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.
FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces operate nationwide with the aim of recovering victims and prosecuting traffickers through collaborative efforts across different jurisdictions.
