Opinion ID: 2758259
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Attempted Sex Trafficking of Children

Text: The jury also found Mr. Brinson guilty of Attempted Sex Trafficking of Children under 18 U.S.C. § 1594(a). This finding was also supported by the evidence. For this offense, a person must “attempt” to commit the crime of sex trafficking. 18 U.S.C. § 1594(a) (2012). Thus, the prosecution had to prove that Mr. Brinson  intended to commit the substantive offense, and  took a “substantial step” toward the commission of that offense. United States v. Sullivan, 919 F.2d 1403, 1429 (10th Cir. 1990). The prosecution presented an exchange on Facebook.com between A.H. (a minor) and “Twinchee Vanto,” whom the government argued was actually Mr. Brinson. A.H. had reached out to “Vanto” to ask how he was treating C.H.: A.H.: Better make sure you look out for my lil sis yah feel me? >.> lol . . . . Vanto: [L]et me knw whn u wanna join the campaign cause we winning over here lol. 24 . . . . Vanto: Lol I’m forill. A.H.: I feeel you. lol, but im not gonna lie i aint never done nothing like that. So im kinda nervous. Vanto: hell yea but ain’t nothing to this sh-- simple it’s like taking candy Frm a baby A.H.: damn, im just not trynaa f--- with no old a-- nasty a-- dudes you feell me? like they gonn want some sh-- . . . . Vanto: You dnt have to f--- and the ones that wanna f--- gone pay 1000 A.H.: alright, well sh--. i guess im down. Aplee’s App., Exh. 35-1. A.H. testified that through this exchange, she believed “Vanto” was trying to lure her into the sex trade. VI Aplt. App. at 1075-76. Based on this evidence, the jury could reasonably find that Mr. Brinson took a substantial step toward the recruitment of A.H. into the prostitution trade. As a result, the jury could reasonably have found Mr. Brinson guilty of attempted sex trafficking.