Case Number: 0:18-cr-00018-DWF-LIB

Judge: Donovan W. Frank

Court: United States District Court for the District of Minnesota (Hennepin County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Craig R. Baune, Jonathan H. Holets and Laura M. Provinzino

Defendant's Attorney: Paul C. Engh for Andre Matthis, Jr.

Douglas Olson for Amos Kiprop Koech

Description:

Minneapolis, MN - Two Duluth Men Sentenced To Prison For Sex Trafficking A 15-Year-Old

ANDRE MATHIS, JR., a/k/a Isaac Brown, 33, and AMOS KIPROP KOECH, 44, were sentenced for sex trafficking a 15-year-old minor. MATHIS, who pleaded guilty on January 10, 2019, was sentenced to 292 months in prison. KOECH, who was convicted by a federal jury on January 22, 2019, was sentenced to 130 months in prison.

“The significant prison sentences handed down are a just punishment for the heinous crimes these individuals committed against a vulnerable young girl,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “This is a sad, but very real, example of how child sex trafficking can occur in any city or community. My office, the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out this type of predatory conduct.”

According to evidence presented at trial and admissions made as part of MATHIS’s guilty plea, from June 17 through July 7, 2017, MATHIS recruited and solicited a 15-year-old minor to engage in commercial sex. MATHIS physically and sexually abused the minor, he provided her with street drugs and alcohol, told her how she could make money in exchange for sex, and promised her clothes and a better life. MATHIS took sexually suggestive photographs of the minor, which he used to attract prospective commercial sex buyers. MATHIS also monitored the minor’s communication with her parents and instructed her to tell them that everything was fine.

According to evidence presented at trial and admissions made as part of MATHIS’s guilty plea, MATHIS sold the minor to KOECH on one or more occasions. As part of the conspiracy to traffic the minor, MATHIS and KOECH negotiated with each other regarding the amount MATHIS would charge for a commercial sex act with the minor. The trafficking ended when law enforcement found the minor hidden in a bedroom closet while MATHIS was also present in the apartment.

MATHIS was also charged in St. Louis County with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which he pleaded guilty to as part of the global plea agreement filed with the U.S. District Court.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Duluth Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino prosecuted the case with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Holets.



Defendant Information:

ANDRE MATHIS, JR., a/k/a Isaac Brown, 33

Duluth, Minn.

Convicted:

Sex trafficking of a minor, 1 count

Sentenced:

292 months in prison
20 years of supervised release
Restitution ordered – amount to be determined at a later date



AMOS KIPROP KOECH, 44

Duluth, Minn.

Convicted:

Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, 1 count
Sex trafficking of a minor, 1 count

Sentenced:

130 months in prison
10 years of supervised release
Restitution ordered – amount to be determined at a later date

Outcome: 08/01/2019 203 SENTENCING JUDGMENT as to Andre Mathis, Jr (1), SENTENCED to Count 3, Custody of BOP for 292 months; 20 years Supervised Release; $100.00 Special Assessment; Restitution deferred. Remaining Counts dismissed. Signed by Judge Donovan W. Frank on 8/1/2019. (KNK) (Entered: 08/02/2019)
08/01/2019 204 Statement of Reasons as to Andre Mathis, Jr (Restricted Document). (cc: FLU and USA Close Out Unit). (KNK) (Entered: 08/02/2019)

07/29/2019 201 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Donovan W. Frank: Sentencing held on 7/29/2019 for Amos Kiprop Koech. (Court Reporter Lynne Krenz) (las) (Entered: 07/31/2019)

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