Toledo Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Transportation of a Minor

Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Derrick Murphy, 38, of Toledo, Ohio, with sex trafficking and transportation of a minor.

In April 2021, law enforcement officers received information regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor victim in the Toledo and Detroit areas by an individual later identified as the Defendant.  After investigating the information, investigators were able to identify the minor victim and rescue her. 

The Defendant was arrested on April 27, 2021.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the Defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the Defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the Defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Toledo Resident Agency.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.