Toledo man pleads guilty to sex trafficking a minor

5/15/2013

A Toledo man pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court to charges that included sex trafficking of a minor.

Duane Hill, 26, could be sentenced to as long as life in prison, although a federal prosecutor said that the range likely would be between 21 and 27 years. Hill pleaded guilty before Magistrate James Knepp to conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce to promote a business enterprise involving prostitution, sex trafficking of a minor, and obstructing the sex-trafficking investigation.

Daniel Hurley, an assistant U.S. attorney, told the court that beginning in March, 2012, Hill conspired with others to post pictures on backpage.com that were used to arrange meetings with prostitutes at Toledo motels. Mr. Hurley said Hill would drive the prostitute to the motel and share in the proceeds from the transaction.

Mr. Hurley said Hill also transported a 16-year-old to a Toledo motel Aug. 8, 2012 for an act of prostitution then lied about his involvement to investigators with the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force when he was interviewed Sept. 6.

Hill, who is being held in the Lucas County jail, is to be sentenced Sept. 16 by Judge James Carr. Charges against co-defendant Taurus Devault are pending in federal court.