Domestic Sex Trafficking of Minors - Women's Funding Network

Nebraska
• May 20, 2011- Omaha
— Reported on May 20, 2011, by Todd Cooper of Omaha World-Herald
— Douglas County District Judge Gary Randall sentenced the 59-year-old John Haas, an Air
Force retiree, to two to five years in prison for soliciting sex from a 15 year old girl
— Haas originally faced 15 years to life in prison. But after consulting with the victim's family,
prosecutor Shelly Stratman allowed him to plead to a reduced charge so the girl didn't have
to testify.
• April 12, 2011- Omaha
— Reported on April 12, 2011, by the KETV.com
— Ramon Heredia of Omaha has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a
conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
— He was one of four people who admitted to selling young women for sex along with Heredia's
wife, Katherine, Merrideth June Crane-Horton and Edwin Nathan Horton.
— Katherine Heredia was sentenced to three years.
— Previously reported on February 7, 2011 by WOWT-TV: A January 2010 sex trafficking
sting that originated in Council Bluffs has led to long prison sentences for two people. Mary
Crane Horton, 32, has been sentenced to 17 1/2 years in federal prison and Nate Horton, 35,
will spend 14 1/2 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit or financially benefit from
sex trafficking.
— Previously reported on February 7, 2011, by KETV 7 ABC and Omaha World Herald:
The Hortons and the Heredias pleaded guilty to enticing a 15-year-old girl and coercing her to
perform sex acts with others for money and face potential sentences of up to life in prison.
— Previously reported January 13, 2011 by Omaha World Herald: E. Kosiski, 45, has been
charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child in connection with a prostitution ring but
was released from jail Tuesday after posting 10 percent of $25,000 bail. If convicted, Kosiski
could be sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Kosiski is alleged to have had sex in January
2010 with a 15-year-old girl who was part of a sex trafficking ring.
— Previously reported October 26, 2010 by Omaha World Herald: Merrideth Crane-Horton,
32, Edwin Horton, 35, Katherine Heredia, 23, and Ramon Heredia, 21, each pleaded guilty
last week in an Iowa federal court to conspiring to commit or financially benefit from sex
trafficking a 15 year old girl in Omaha, Council Bluffs and Sarpy County. Each defendant
could face life imprisonment. They will be sentenced Feb. 7
• April 23, 2010 – Omaha
— Reported April 23, 2010, by U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Gild in a press release for the U.S.
Department of Justice’s District of Nebraska.
— Richard Costanzo was arrested and three others will also be charged for their work with
Dream Girls, Inc., an escort service.
— All four charged with Conspiracy; Using a Facility of Interstate Commerce to Promote
Prostitution, Transportation with Intent to Promote Prostitution and Enticing a Minor to Travel
with Intent to Engage in Prostitution.
Nevada
• April 21, 2011- Reno
— Reported on April 21, 2011, by Jaclyn O’Malley of RGJ.com
— Federal jurors in Reno took 75 minutes Thursday afternoon to convict a 19-year-old pimp
from Sacramento of leading two girls, 14 and 15, to Reno from California to gain money they
earned through prostitution.
— Aaron L. Ross, unemployed, was found guilty of two counts of transportation across state
lines of a minor for purposes of prostitution. He is facing a minimum term of 20 years during a
sentencing scheduled for July 19.
— Previously reported on December 2, 2010 of KOLOTV.com: Aaron Ross is facing federal
charges of bringing a juvenile across state borders to engage in prostitution.
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