United States of America v. India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler, a/k/a “Lady Tank"

Columbia, SC - Columbia Woman Pleads to Federal Charge of Enticing Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity



India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler, a/k/a “Lady Tank,” age 24, of Columbia, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court to using a facility of interstate commerce (a cell phone) to entice a minor under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity.



Evidence presented in court established that on November 21, 2017, undercover officers with the Lexington Police Department encountered a minor advertising sex via a website. An undercover officer set up a time to meet with the minor at a local motel, wherein officers observed the minor being dropped off by Cuyler and Donnell Salethian Woodard. Officers placed Cuyler and Woodard under arrest. The investigation led to another nearby motel where a second minor, who was also involved in the illegal venture, was located. The investigation revealed Cuyler was using a cell phone to post advertisements for commercial sex with the minors on a website and taking a portion of the proceeds. Cuyler and Woodard were both charged federally.



Woodard’s case remains pending. All charges against Woodard are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.



Cuyler faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison with a maximum of life, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and at least 5 years and up to a lifetime of supervised release.



United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.



The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Lexington Police Department, and the West Columbia Police Department. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Charges:

18:2422(b) and 2 COERCION OR ENTICEMENT OF FEMALE

(1s)

§2422. Coercion and enticement



(a) Whoever knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual to travel in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any Territory or Possession of the United States, to engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.



(b) Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 10 years or for life.

02/11/2019 104 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Honorable J Michelle Childs: Arraignment as to India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler (1) Count 1s held on 2/11/2019. Court Reporter Carly Horenkamp. CJA Time 9:30 - 10:13. (mbro, ) (Entered: 02/11/2019)

02/11/2019 105 WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler (mbro, ) (Entered: 02/11/2019)

02/11/2019 106 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Honorable J Michelle Childs: Change of Plea Hearing as to India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler held on 2/11/2019 India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler (1) Guilty Count 1s. Court Reporter Carly Horenkamp. CJA Time 9:30 - 10:13. (mbro, ) (Entered: 02/11/2019)

02/11/2019 107 Guilty PLEA ENTERED as to India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler (mbro, ) (Entered: 02/11/2019)

02/11/2019 108 NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF HEARING: Jury Selection set for 2/12/2019 09:30 AM as to India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler (mbro, ) (Entered: 02/11/2019)