After Nationwide Bust of Child Prostitution Ring, Two South Carolina Defendants Plead Guilty

A man and a woman, who were arrested in July during a huge bust of a national child prostitution ring, have pleaded guilty to child prostitution charges in a federal court in South Carolina.

Andrea Bostic and Thomas Tyrell Summers, both 21, pleaded guilty to forcing a 16-year-old girl into prostitution. William J. Gibson, a third defendant in the case, appeared in court but did not make a plea.

US District Judge Joseph Anderson accepted the guilty pleas, but has not yet set a sentencing date. According to federal law, the child prostitution charges could land the pair in prison for at least 10 years, but they could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. They also face up to $250,000 in fines.

The nationwide sting conducted in July rescued 105 children between the ages of 13 and 17 from prostitution. Around 150 pimps, including Bostic and Summers, were also arrested as part of the FBI’s bust.

Many of the rescued children were runaways from foster care, so their disappearance was never reported.

The FBI operation, Operation Cross Country 6, took three days, starting on Friday, July 26th. In 76 cities, 2,500 local, state, and federal officials participated. Cities included Chicago, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, Detroit, and San Francisco. The sweeps are part of the Innocence Lost Project, an anti-child prostitution national initiative that started in 2003.

Local police cooperated in South Carolina with the FBI as part of the raid, and used Backpage.com to search “escort services” for potential child prostitution. They found pictures of the 16 year old girl, and made arrangements to meet the teen at a Two Notch Road motel. During the meeting, the girl agreed to take $80 from the undercover agent in exchange for a 30 minute session. The 16 year old girl was a runaway, like many of the other children who had been forced or coerced into prostitution.

According to court records, agents also found a 19 year old with bipolar disorder who was being used by Bostic and Summers as a prostitute.

Court documents report that, during the meeting with the 16 year old girl, Bostic was in the other room at the hotel, and Gibson was in the car. Reportedly, Gibson attempted to flee, but was stopped by police. He had two loaded guns in his car, according to arrest reports.

Bostic admitted that she took the 16 year old’s picture and posted the ad on Backpage.com, but she said she did so at Gibson’s request. Reportedly, Gibson acted as the pimp, taking money from women, and paying for their hotel rooms. The child told police that she had been working for Gibson for a couple of weeks. She said that on the day of the bust, she had already had sex with one client.

Gibson faces additional criminal charges on top of the federal child prostitution charge. He has been accused of murder, two counts of assault with intent to kill, and one count of discharging a firearm into a dwelling. He was out of jail on bond when he was arrested as part of the child prostitution sting.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Federal Child Prostitution Charges

If you have been charged with a federal sex crime, including child prostitution or interstate commerce, contact the criminal defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.  Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800.