S.D. MAN GETS 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING CRIME

SAN DIEGO

A judge on Monday sentenced a San Diego man to 15 years in federal prison for prostituting a 15-year-old girl on more than 10 occasions last summer, authorities said.

Joseph Price, 24, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal charge of sex trafficking of a minor, according to prosecutors. As part of his plea agreement, Price also admitted that he struck the teen in the face to make her perform an act against her will, and that he encouraged two other underage girls in Texas to engage in prostitution.

Authorities became aware of Price’s actions in August 2019 when the victim’s mother reported that her daughter was dating an older man, later identified as Price, and that the girl’s Snapchat account featured “provocative” photos of her with Price, which led authorities to believe she was being trafficked.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim’s mother spotted her daughter in a car with Price, who she said had a gun in his lap, but when she tried to confront him, he sped away, driving over curbs to escape.

Law enforcement officers were later able to identify and arrest Price, according to court documents. The 15year-old victim told investigators that after a month of dating Price, he made her create an online account where she could meet men looking for sex.

Price knew the victim was 15, according to prosecutors.

Price drove the girl to meet the men, and parked down the street while she met them in their homes or vehicles. On one occasion, when the victim did not want to perform a requested act, Price hit the girl, she told investigators.

She estimated that she made about $7,000, all of which she gave to Price.

alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com