Transporting a Woman for Commercial Sex Lands Houston Man in Federal Prison
HOUSTON—Jerald Bland, aka “Moe Betta,” 30, of Houston, has been handed more than nine years in federal prison following his conviction of transportation of a woman for commercial sex, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Bland pleaded guilty January 3, 2012. In handing down the sentence today, United States Judge Nancy F Atlas noted that he has some of the most incredible number of convictions she has ever seen for someone his age. She then handed him a 110-month prison term, which will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.
He will also be required to register as a sex offender. Bland had admitted to transporting the woman to Louisiana intending she engage in prostitution. An investigation by the Houston FBI Innocence Lost Task Force, which includes the Houston Police Department, developed this case using online advertisements for victim’s services and hotel records from several hotels in Louisiana. On March 8, 2010, Houston Police Department officers conducted an undercover operation that resulted in the apprehension of Bland and the identification of the female victim.
At that time, a silver Sony HDX Camera was discovered along with pictures of females in sexually provocative poses and photos of Bland flashing money. According to court records, between May 26 and June 7, 2010, Bland transported the female victim to Beaumont, Texas; and Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, Louisiana. While out of town, ads were posted for sexual services on the Internet, which were discovered by investigating officers and corresponded to the dates of the hotel reservations where they stayed. Several employees from the hotels involved recognized Bland and the victim as being at the hotels.
At one location, the business center was used to post Internet ads for prostitution, which was discovered by an employee. Bland kept all the money the woman earned in relation to the sexual services performed. Bland has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a United States Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri L Zack.
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