San Francisco, California - Omar Ahmad was sentenced to 63 months in prison for coercing and enticing two underage boys to engage in prostitution, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson.
Ahmad, 29, of San Jose, pleaded guilty on April 2, 2015 to a superseding information charging him with one count of coercion and enticement of two male minors to travel interstate for commercial sexual activities. According to the plea agreement, Ahmad admitted that between October 2011 and September 2012, he traveled from California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, on two or three occasions in connection with the crime. On at least one occasion before leaving for Las Vegas, he attempted to knowingly persuade, entice, and induce the two male victims to travel from San Jose, California, to Las Vegas for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. Ahmad attempted to entice the minors by telling them of the amenities and opportunities available in Las Vegas. Ahmad also admitted the government could prove that both male victims were under the age of 18 at the time he attempted to persuade them to travel for prostitution.
Ahmad, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12, 2013. Initially, he was charged with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591; two counts of production of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C.§ 2251, and one count of distribution of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252. The superseding information charging Ahmad with one count of coercion and enticement of travel for prostitution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(a), was filed April 2, 2015. Ahmed has been in custody since his arrest in August 2013.
The sentence was handed down by the Honorable James Donato, U.S. District Judge, following Ahmad’s plea of guilty to the charge in the superseding information. Judge Donato also sentenced the defendant to a seven-year period of supervised release following his prison term, the first 12 months of which must be served under house arrest; to pay restitution to each of his victims in the amount of $2000 a piece (for a total restitution of $4000); and to register as a sex offender. The defendant will begin serving the sentence immediately.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amie Rooney is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen and Nina Burney. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the San Jose Police Department Human Trafficking Task Force.
Anyone who suspects instances of human trafficking are encouraged to call the FBI or the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Anonymous calls are welcome.
In addition, suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-843-5678.
