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Man Pleads Guilty to Prostitution and Sex Trafficking of a Minor at Cecil County Hotel

by | Mar 7, 2021 | Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault

We Seek Justice for Survivors of Sex Abuse & Trafficking

On February 25, 2021, Xavier Lee (41) pleaded guilty to prostitution and sex trafficking of a minor. According to the plea agreement, Lee admitted to running a prostitution operation out of a hotel in Elkton for over five (5) years and to having sexual contact with a 14-year-old minor.

Lee also pleaded guilty to arranging prostitution dates of another minor who was 16 years old. The federal charge against Lee carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison. 

Don’t Be a Victim Twice. Turn to Us for Help. 

Survivors should not have to suffer twice-over by living the rest of their lives without the support and recourse they need and deserve. Even when human traffickers are held criminally responsible, oftentimes little to no compensation is given to victims to help them heal.

Our attorneys at Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner, & Davey, P.A. believe that sex trafficking survivors deserve compensation for the mental and physical anguish that they have endured. 

If you or someone you love is a victim of sex abuse or trafficking, please contact our office immediately. Call (410) 685-2022 or contact us online to speak directly with an experienced lawyer. All consultations are free and confidential. 

Lee’s Hotel Prostitution Business

According to a press release by the Department of Justice, Lee operated an illegal prostitution process through a website he owned and maintained. The website has since been seized by law enforcement. Lee used the website to advertise commercial sexual acts. 

Between the years 2013 and 2019, Lee brought women to a hotel in Elkton, Maryland for prostitution appointments solicited through the website he operated.

Lee spent most of his days on the hotel premises, and his actions followed a regular pattern. He would arrange the meetings, book rooms from the hotel staff, collect payment, and transport women to and from the hotel across state lines. Most prostitution events occurred in the same hotel room, and the “business” would typically end at the same time each day. 

Child Sex Trafficking 

In addition to operating an illegal website to promote his prostitution business, Lee admitted to first having sexual contact with a minor victim when she was 14 years old.

Several videos were recovered of Lee and another adult man engaging in sexual acts with the victim when she was 15 and 16 years old. 

Lee also admitted to directing a minor victim to engage in prostitution when she was only 16 or 17 years old. Through his website, he arranged for her to engage in unlawful sexual acts. Lee acknowledged that he knew the true age of both minor victims at the time of abuse.

Dedicated Representation for Trafficking Survivors

At Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner, & Davey, we represent human trafficking victims throughout Maryland. Our lawyers fight to hold all responsible parties accountable for their involvement in the horrible acts that have occurred. 

The human trafficking epidemic has flourished in the hospitality industry. Hotel owners and operators have an obligation to do their part to prevent criminal activity from occurring and persisting on their premises. 

Attorneys Catherine A. Dickinson and Michael J. Belsky were recently successful in holding a national hotel franchise responsible for human trafficking that occurred at one of their hotel locations. Known for their fierce advocacy for injury victims, Catherine and Michael have recovered millions on behalf of sex abuse and trafficking survivors. 

Victims of human sex trafficking rarely recover fully from the egregious abuse that they were subjected to as minors. It can take years of therapy and rehabilitation for young men and women to cope with these traumatic events.  

Fierce Advocates for Sex Abuse Survivors

At Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner, & Davey, P.A., we are fierce advocates for survivors of human trafficking. A criminal conviction can help punish the offender, but it rarely provides adequate restitution for human trafficking victims. 

Our attorneys want to ensure that every sex trafficking survivor receives the compensation they are entitled to. We are committed to obtaining justice for survivors and can provide the compassionate representation you deserve. 

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sex abuse or human trafficking, please call our firm at (410) 685-2022 or contact us online to arrange a free and confidential consultation. 

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