12 charged in Galveston-area child sex trafficking cases

Authorities have charged 12 people for their involvement in a Galveston-area child sex trafficking case.



See arrest photos of the suspects are in the case ahead. Authorities have charged 12 people for their involvement in a Galveston-area child sex trafficking case.



See arrest photos of the suspects are in the case ahead. Photo: Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Photo: Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close 12 charged in Galveston-area child sex trafficking cases 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

A group consisting of nine men and three women have been arrested for allegedly forcing minors into sex trafficking and child pornography.

The suspects are accused of using sexually-orientated websites to traffic minors as young as 16 for commercial sex, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. All of the suspects are charged with conspiracy to traffic children for the purpose of commercialized sex, sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion in the Galveston area.

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Joseph Church, 31, and Angela Marks, 23, both of Sweeney; Jamaal Crane, 25, of Angleton; Norris Moon, 23, and Christopher Walton, 23, both of Brazoria; Ronnie Beasley, 19, of Rosharon; and William Franklin, 18, of Wharton were arrested in a coordinated effort with federal and local law enforcement. They are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Smith on Friday.

Jamier Coleman, 20, and Lurkesha Baugh, 35, both of Wharton, were previously in state custody on unrelated charges. They are expected to appear in court soon for their alleged roles in the sex trafficking.

Other suspects include Alisa Kimber, 24, of Freeport, who is already in federal custody on similar charges. Stephanie Walker, 35, of Houston, was arrested in Beaumont on Thursday. Eric Page, 19, was taken into custody on unrelated charges on Wednesday in Sherman. The three are expected to appear in Galveston court in the near future.

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If convicted, each person charged may face up to life in prison. Walker and Kimber face of up to five years in prison for using an interstate facility to promote sex trafficking of children. Church and Marks also face an additional 30 years in prison for child pornography charges. Moon and Walton also face up to life in prison for firearms offenses. All charges carry up to a $250,000 fine.

The investigation was conducted by the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, which includes members of the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Houston Police Department.

Numerous sheriff's offices, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Attorney General’s Office, Department of State, Department of Labor, IRS and the Texas Department of Public Safety also assisted in the investigation.