Date: 12-23-2016

Case Style:

Case Number: 3:16-cr-00057-DJH

Judge: David J. Hale

Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (Jefferson County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Amanda E. Gregory and William Nolan

Defendant's Attorney:

Mark Chandler

and

Rob Eggert

Description: Louisville, KY - Kalamazoo, Michigan, Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking And Interstate Transportation For Prostitution

David Q. Givhan, aka “Premier,” 34, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was convicted by a jury of one count of sex trafficking and three counts of interstate transportation for prostitution.

“Forcible sex trafficking is effectively a form of modern day slavery,” stated United States Attorney John Kuhn. “Victims, often vulnerable women, are terrorized by violence, threats and other coercion. This swift verdict should be a strong message that sex trafficking will not be tolerated by my Office and the Department of Justice.”

“Sex trafficking offends the basic standards of human decency and dignity that form the bedrock of a civilized society,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gupta. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute the unconscionable crime of sex trafficking and work tirelessly to vindicate the rights of vulnerable victims.”

“Protecting the victims of human trafficking is one of the FBI's top priorities,” said Special Agent in Charge Amy S. Hess of the FBI’s Louisville Office. “We work closely with community leaders and our law enforcement partners to proactively target predators like the defendant who are involved in human trafficking. Our agents and task force officers are committed to addressing every such allegation we receive. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect and rescue the victims who are unable to defend themselves.”

According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Givhan prostituted three women for his profit at various times between October 2014 and April 2015 and transported them from Michigan to Kentucky and other states for the purpose of prostitution. He used force, fraud and coercion to compel one of the women to prostitute for him between October 2014 and March 2015. He initially recruited the woman – a single mother of three – using false promises of steady income and a better life. However, once she began earning money, he kept it all. Givhan required her to earn $1,000 a day and beat other women in front of her. Givhan also required her to tattoo his alias, “Premier,” on her neck and threatened to hurt or kill her or her family if she refused to continue prostituting for him. When she objected to his demand that she perform particular acts for customers, he sexually assaulted her. At one point, the woman tried to leave Givhan, but he found her and brought her back. On a trip to Florida, he compelled her to continue prostituting for his profit, even after she sought medical attention for severe pain and bleeding. Shortly thereafter, she managed to escape by enlisting the help of a hotel clerk and her mother.

After deliberating for under five hours, the jury found the defendant guilty on all four counts. A fifth count was dismissed during trial. Givhan remains in federal custody awaiting formal sentencing before United States District Judge David J. Hale on date March 14, 2017 at 11a.m. in Louisville. The defendant faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The investigation was opened when Louisville Metro Police Department officers encountered a woman Givhan had transported from Michigan to Louisville, Kentucky, during a prostitution sting coinciding with the Kentucky Derby.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Louisville Division and Louisville Metro Police Department.

Outcome: Jury deliberated under five hours before finding David Givhan guilty of all charges.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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