MEMPHIS, TN - Oct 4, 2014 - 6 charged in Sex Trafficking Ring

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UPDATE: June 9, 2016 - 3 Tennessee men sentenced in New Orleans sex-trafficking case
SEE: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2016/jun/09/3-tennessee-men-sentenced-new-orleans-sex-trafficking-case/370202/

UPDATE: May 4, 2016
Memphis man sentenced to prison for Sex Trafficking in New Orleans
Court records show 27-year-old Granville Robinson of Memphis was sentenced Wednesday in a case involving a sex trafficking scheme at a New Orleans motel. Prosecutors said Robinson used force and threats to get women to engage in prostitution.

OCT 4, 2014
The Department of Justice announced a second superseding indictment in a sex trafficking conspiracy, charging six individuals for their alleged involvement including one man from Kenner.

According to the FBI, Granville "Bear" Robinson (25), Duane "P-nut" Phillips (28), Anthony "Animal" Ellis (25), Christopher "Gutter" Williams (29) and LaQuentin "Nino" Brown (32), all from Memphis, TN, were charged with conspiring to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion.

The Department of Justice is also charging 73-year-old Kenner resident Kanubhai "Pop" Patel for benefiting financially from the sex trafficking venture.

If convicted of sex trafficking conspiracy, Robinson, Phillips, Ellis, Williams and Brown each face a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.

If convicted of transportation for prostitution, Robinson, Phillips and Williams each face a statutory maximum of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years' supervised release.

If convicted of benefiting financially from participation in a sex trafficking venture, Patel faces a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.

A seventh defendant who was previously charged in connection with the case, Zacchaeus "Little Z" Taylor (21) also of Memphis Tennessee, pleaded guilty on June 25, 2014, to sex trafficking, conspiring and transporting women across state lines for prostitution. He is currently awaiting sentencing.