Houston Officials Bust Teen Sex Ring

HOUSTON - Six people, including a former Houston Police Department officer, are facing a slew of charges in connection to the largest sex trafficking case in the Southern District of Texas.

Houston residents John Butler, 47, William Hornbeak, 34, Jamine Lake, 27, Andre McDaniels, 39, Kristen Land, 28, and Tulsa, Okla. Resident Ronnie Presley, 35, are charged with with conspiracy to traffic women and children for the purposes of commercialized sex; sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; transportation of minors; transportation; and coercion and enticement. Upon conviction, each count of sex trafficking and transportation of minors carries a maximum of life in prison, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.

Five of the suspects were arrested between Monday and Tuesday in a joint effort between federal and local officials. Presley remains on the run.

Butler briefly served as a Houston Police officer back in the 1980's, sources told FOX 26.

“It is a horrible reflection on our society when adults prey on the vulnerabilities of children and reduce them to indentured sex slaves,” U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson said in a prepared statement. “Whenever and wherever offenses of such a depraved nature occur, our law enforcement community will respond with the sum of our collective prosecutorial resources.”

According to a 16-count indictment unsealed Tuesday, the suspects used businesses such as modeling studios, health spas, massage parlors and bikini bars throughout the Houston area to disguise their sex business and hired sexually oriented publications and websites to advertise their business, according to the statement. They also allegedly transported the victims back and forth from Kansas, Nevada, Arizona and Florida.

Women and teens as young as 16 were among the victims allegedly coerced into prostitution and regularly beaten and threatened, according to the statement.

Prosecutors are asking the court to hold all the suspects without bond pending their trials, according to the statement.

If convicted, each count of sex trafficking and transportation of minors carries a maximum of life in prison, according to the statement. Each count of transportation carries up to 10 years in prison, while coercion and enticement carries up to 20 years in prison, while conspiracy carries up to five years in prison. All charges carry up to a $250,000 fine.