Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Sex Trafficking Violations

In El Paso this morning, 24-year-old Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples member Emmanual Lockhart was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for federal sex trafficking violations announced Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.

In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Philip R. Martinez ordered that Lockhart pay a $2,500 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term.

On January 16, 2015, jurors found Lockhart and three other gang members--25-year-old Richard Gray, 26-year-old Deion Lockhart and 29–year-old former El Paso County juvenile probation officer Timothy McCullouch, Jr.—guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of persons.

Testimony during trial revealed that between May 2012 and March 2013, the defendants were involved in the forced prostitution of juveniles and adults by the Folk Nation/Gangster Disciples street gang.   The defendants used a combination of force, fraud, and coercion to compel their victims to engage in sexual activities for money in El Paso; Killeen, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Las Vegas, NV; and, in Colorado.

Yesterday, Judge Martinez sentenced Richard Gray and Deion Lockhart to life imprisonment and 300 months imprisonment, respectively, for their roles in the sex trafficking scheme.  McCullouch is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30am on Monday, June 29, 2015.  McCullouch faces up to life in federal prison.

This investigation was conducted by the ACTeam (Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team) comprised of personnel from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Department of Labor together with the El Paso Police Department Gang Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant United States Attorneys Rifian Newaz and Robert Almonte are prosecuting these defendants on behalf of the Government.