Prostitution case results in sentences
Runaways forced into sex trade
The Charlotte Observer, Jan 19, 2007 03:05 AM
Brothers Tracy and David Howard were each sentenced Thursday to life in prison without parole for their roles in a Charlotte prostitution and drug ring that forced runaway girls as young as 14 to have sex with up to 10 men a night.
Their mother, 43-year-old Ila Howard, accused of operating an escort service and conspiring with her sons in their prostitution business, was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison.
During the three-week trial, six girls told jurors that they were forced to visit apartment complexes in northeast Charlotte and have sexual intercourse with men who paid $25 for 15 minutes. The girls were also sent throughout the Carolinas to engage in acts of prostitution for the escort service.
Before sentencing the brothers, U.S. Chief District Court Judge Bob Conrad talked about how the young girls had been beaten and abused.
"He deliberately targeted drug-addicted runaways, who he marketed door to door for sex," the federal judge said before sentencing 25-year-old Tracy Howard, who housed and fed the prostitutes.
"But if any caused trouble or showed signs of attempting to leave, he beat them back into submission," the judge said.
Conrad called 26-year-old David Howard's conduct "monstrous."
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/533834.html
Perkins gets more than 20 years for murdering cousins
By John Stevenson : The Herald-Sun, Jan 18, 2007 : 10:41 pm ET
DURHAM -- Donte Lejuan Perkins pleaded guilty Thursday to fatally shooting his two cousins -- one of whom was pregnant -- and was sentenced to between 20 and more than 26 years in prison.
Perkins said nothing on his own behalf during the hearing in Durham County Superior Court, choosing not to explain the killings or apologize for them. Instead, he let his lawyer do the talking.
Assistant District Attorney David Saacks conceded that Perkins "clearly was suffering from some kind of mental illness." -cut-
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-810573.cfm