A federal jury in Charlotte, NC convicted Tawaan Batten, 33, and Kristi King, 33, on December 13, 2023 of sex trafficking a minor in Charlotte, NC.
According to filed court documents, trial evidence, and witness testimony, from July 2021, through December 2021, Tawaan engaged in a conspiracy to sex traffic a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Trial evidence established that Tawaan, who was at times assisted by Kristi posted advertisements of the minor victim on commercial sex websites, arranged the minor victim’s sexual encounters with customers, and booked hotel rooms where the encounters took place, including in the West Sugar Creek area of Charlotte.
Trial evidence further established that Tawaan kept almost all of the money the victim earned from these commercial sexual encounters.
Tawaan used various physical and psychological ways to control the minor victim, including branding the minor victim with tattoos.
Tawaan and Kristi were arrested after the victim came in contact with police.
At trial Tawaan was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, one count of sex trafficking of a minor, and one count of transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in commercial sexual activity.
U.S. District Judge Robert Conrad presided over the three day trial.
Batten remains in federal custody, he faces a maximum penalty of up to life in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
On November 9, 2023, Kristi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sex traffic the minor victim and is currently awaiting sentencing.
