Local Rapper Pleads Guilty to Prostitution Charges in Federal Court
A 30-year-old man, who is famous in Columbia, SC as a rap artist, pled guilty on Wednesday, April 24th, to prostitution charges in federal court.
According to reports, George McLeod III, who went by Pimp Stick Quezzy, pled guilty to charges that included transporting women from South Carolina to other states to perform sex acts for money.
Authorities say that McLeod posted women on an internet website which is now defunct, called Backpages.com, then traveled with them to hotels and strip clubs in South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. The women engaged in sex acts for pay, then gave the money to McLeod.
McLeod also allegedly purchased a fake ID for an underage girl from Montana so she could work in a strip club.
At least one of McLeod’s songs on YouTube refers to pimping.
If convicted on federal prostitution charges, McLeod faces 12 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Federal Prostitution Charges in South Carolina
The federal government cannot regulate prostitution, unless interstate charges are involved as part of the Mann Act. Under the 10th Amendment, it is up to states to regulate prostitution specifically.
However, state-level prostitution charges are still serious and carry heavy fines and long jail sentences. In South Carolina, the first offense is only 30 days in prison and a $200 fine, but subsequent offenses or counts can lead to a year in prison and up to $3,000 fine.
Federal prostitution charges, which involve interstate commerce, are much more serious – according to Title 18, Part I, “Whoever knowingly transports any individual in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.”
When a police officer arrests someone for loitering or soliciting sexual services for the purpose of committing prostitution, an officer looks at many key factors to prove someone was intending to commit a criminal act:
- Possession of condoms
- Possession of a large amount of cash/types of bills
- Possession of cell phones/pagers
- Possession of a ‘client list’
- Location, dress, suspicious activity
While these charges are usually misdemeanors, unless you have prior convictions, in which case you may be facing a felony charge. Prostitution and solicitation charges involve delicate matters that are best handled by an attorney. Whether you are innocent or guilty of prostitution or solicitation, your personal life is at stake and you do not want your good name to be damaged with a bad reputation.
If You Face Prostitution Charges, The Strom Law Firm Can Help
Prostitution charges, whether at the state or the federal level, can hurt your reputation. Both our personal and professional life could be hurt by charges. However, just because you have received prostitution charges does not automatically mean you are guilty. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We have extensive experience in both state and federal criminal courts, and we understand the complexity and sensitivity of prostitution charges. We also offer free, confidential consultations, so contact us today. 803.252.4800.
