Chicago Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking a Minor

CHICAGO - A federal judge has sentenced a man to 12 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor in the Chicago area.

The victim was 15 years old in December 2015 when WILLIAM MCBETH enticed her to engage in commercial sex acts. McBeth advertised the sex services online and arranged for the victim to meet individuals who responded. McBeth transported the girl to hotels and residences in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs to engage in commercial sex, and on at least one occasion brought her from Wisconsin back to Illinois for that purpose. He provided the victim with illicit drugs and alcohol to keep her working. McBeth kept most of the proceeds from the encounters, spending some of the money on a new car for himself.

McBeth, 39, of Chicago, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of interstate transportation of an individual with the intent that she engage in prostitution. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Franklin U. Valderrama on Thursday ordered McBeth to pay $66,594.50 in restitution to his victim.

The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Petersen.

If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.