Toledoan gets 30 years for sex trafficking involving minor

7/3/2012

A Toledo man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Toledo to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor.

Anthony C. Willoughby, 38, who was known as “Party Time,” was sentenced after a lengthy hearing today. He had been found guilty of the crime Dec. 16 after a jury trial that included the testimony of nearly 20 witnesses, including the victim, who was 16 when she was forced to engage in acts of prostitution.

The charge is punishable by a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Judge Jack Zouhary noted that based on Willoughby’s criminal history and the facts of the case, federal guidelines recommended a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.

Judge Zouhary said during the sentencing hearing that he was unable to find any factor that would warrant a sentence below the recommended guideline.

Willoughby was indicted in September, 2010, for the crime that occurred between Feb. 15 and March 19, 2009. Throughout the lengthy sentencing hearing, Willoughy professed his innocence and accused the victim and witnesses of lying as well as claiming ineffective assistance of counsel.