Baltimore man admits role in sex trafficking scheme, sentenced to 12 years

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore man pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Baltimore County Police Department.

Travis Lamont Foote, aka "Cash," 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar to 12 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

According to Foote's plea agreement, from September through November 2012, Foote used social media sites to persuade and entice females to work for him in his prostitution business. For example, in September 2012, Foote contacted an 18-year-old woman living in Florida (Jane Doe 1) on Facebook, using a female online identity he created using the name "Cash Treasure." Jane Doe 1 had dropped out of high school and was trying to get back into school or find employment. Foote, using the "Cash Treasure" persona, told Jane Doe 1 that "she" knew someone who would be able to assist her. Foote then reached out to Jane Doe 1, as a friend of "Cash Treasure," stating that he could help Jane Doe 1 to get back into high school and get a diploma, but it would require her to move to Baltimore. After Jane Doe 1 agreed, Foote paid for an airline ticket for Jane Doe 1 to fly from Florida to Baltimore sometime in September.

Foote met Jane Doe 1 at the airport and drove her to a motel in Catonsville, where he had rented four rooms, three of which were occupied by other females. It was then that Jane Doe 1 learned that Foote was running a prostitution business and the he expected Jane Doe 1 to work for him, engaging in sex with men for money for Foote's benefit. At first Jane Doe 1 refused, but eventually she agreed and began having sex with men for money, with all of the proceeds going to Foote.

During this time, Foote was using Internet websites to advertise the women, including "Malaysia," and "Mercedez," who was Jane Doe 1, as available for prostitution. On Nov. 14, 2012, an undercover detective from the Baltimore County Police Department Vice Unit called the number on one of the advertisements to schedule a "date" with "Malaysia." The undercover detective met Malaysia at the agreed upon time and place. Malaysia was arrested. Officers located and arrested Jane Doe 1 in the hallway. She was holding a baby monitor which was receiving a live video of the interior of Malaysia's room, where police had conducted the undercover operation. Officers also located and attempted to arrest Foote but he struggled and ran away.

Foote was arrested on May 16, 2013, after a Baltimore County Police officer conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in which Foote was a passenger. In addition to Foote and the driver, there was an 18-year-old female, Jane Doe 2, riding in the vehicle. Jane Doe 2 was listed in police records as a possible runaway. Foote and the driver were on their way back to a motel after taking Jane Doe 2 on an "out-call," taking her to meet a man who paid to have sex with her. Two other females were located at the motel who worked as prostitutes for Foote and the driver. Jane Doe 2 and the other two females were advertised for prostitution on an Internet website, and stated that they gave their earnings to Foote, the driver and another person.

Foote admitted that Jane Doe 2 began working for him in April 2013 and had approximately 100 "dates" with men for money that was provided to Foote. In May 2013, Jane Doe 2 tried to leave the motel after refusing a request from one of the men. Foote pursued her into the hallway and stairwell and physically fought with Jane Doe 2, returning her to the motel room by physical force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, is prosecuting the case.

This investigation was conducted under HSI's Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI's Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.