A 46-year-old Houston man has been taken into custody on charges of sex trafficking and could possibly spend the rest of his life behind bars, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has announced.
Larry Odell Lewis, self-proclaimed as “Lavish,” was arrested Wednesday after a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against the accused pimp on June 2.
According to prosecutors, Lewis allegedly used force, fraud and coercion to cause four adult women to engage in commercial sex. The indictment alleges some of the acts occurred on the Bissonnet Track, an infamous area of Houston known to be plagued by prostitution and prostitution-related crimes.
He also coerced the women to do similar acts across state lines, according to the charges.
If convicted, Lewis faces up to life imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Department of Public Safety and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the FBI as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA).
Established in 2004, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Houston formed the HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as a national model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
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Multiple suspects in ‘the pimp game’ accused of trafficking young girls on infamous Bissonnet Track
‘Somewhere in the wind’: Pimp skips out on 40-year sentence for sex trafficking teen on Bissonnet Track, DA says
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Larry Odell Lewis, self-proclaimed as “Lavish,” was arrested Wednesday after a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against the accused pimp on June 2.
According to prosecutors, Lewis allegedly used force, fraud and coercion to cause four adult women to engage in commercial sex. The indictment alleges some of the acts occurred on the Bissonnet Track, an infamous area of Houston known to be plagued by prostitution and prostitution-related crimes.
He also coerced the women to do similar acts across state lines, according to the charges.
If convicted, Lewis faces up to life imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Department of Public Safety and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the FBI as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA).
Established in 2004, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Houston formed the HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as a national model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Related Articles on infamous “Bissonet Track”:
Multiple suspects in ‘the pimp game’ accused of trafficking young girls on infamous Bissonnet Track
‘Somewhere in the wind’: Pimp skips out on 40-year sentence for sex trafficking teen on Bissonnet Track, DA says
Feds: 2 men sentenced to federal prison forced girl to walk ‘The Bissonnet Track’ as part of sex trafficking scheme
Bissonnet prostitution hot spot: Officials post warning ahead of Houston Bill 2795 going into effect on Sept. 1
HPD using new law to crack down on those paying for sex
Continue reading...
