Prostitution Suspect’s Case Moves to Federal Court
A Colorado man arrested in Casper and charged in Natrona County District Court with multiple sex crimes will be tried in federal court.
Joseph Jovon Dawson of Aurora, Colo., has been charged with one count of sex trafficking of a child, and one count of transporting a minor for illegal sexual activity, according to the July 24 indictment, which was unsealed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal on Wednesday.
The indictment also authorized the government to seize any of his property related to the crimes.If convicted, he faces at least 20 years to life behind bars.
Meanwhile, another vehicle had entered the parking lot about the same time the girl did. Officers approached and asked the lone male occupant, Dawson, to identify himself. After being read his Miranda rights, Dawson said he was involved in a prostitution operation. He also admitted to bringing two other girls of unknown ages to Casper from Colorado for the sole purpose of prostitution.
Dawson, 30, was charged with promoting prostitution, sexual servitude of a minor and sexual exploitation of children.
Assistant District Attorney Mike Schafer said those charges did not involve interstate trafficking.