2nd Person Sentenced in Sex Trafficking Conspiracy

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Mackenzy Scott, 20, of Providence, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for sex trafficking two young teenagers, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England; Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney; and Seekonk, Mass., Police Chief Craig A. Mace.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Scott to serve 5 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Scott pleaded guilty on September 20, 2016, to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.

A co-defendant in this matter, Cristian Garcia, 21, of Providence, pleaded guilty in May 2016 to his role in the conspiracy. He was sentenced on October 27, 2016, to 24 months in federal prison to be followed by 5 years supervised release.

According to court records and information presented to the court, beginning in December 2014, Scott and Garcia conspired to take provocative photographs of a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old girl. The photographs were posted in advertisements on Backpage.com, offering the teenagers for commercial sex. Numerous individuals responded to the ads. Scott and Garcia either drove or arranged for the teenagers to be driven to various locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to engage in commercial sexual activity.

United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “The defendant sold children for sex, plain and simple.  The thought of anyone engaging in such conduct, and of children being victimized in this way, is almost unimaginable, and yet we see it over and over again.  We must continue to aggressively pursue those who, like this defendant, view children, and in some instances, adults, not as people, but as a means to satisfy their own greed.”

Mackenzy Scott was arrested on February 6, 2015. Cristian Garcia was arrested on March 14, 2016. Both have been detained since their arrests.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, and the Warwick and Seekonk Police Departments.

###