PHOENIX— Deandre James (D.O.B. 04-06-1976) was sentenced today to 354 years in the Department of Corrections after being found guilty on all 19 counts including; 14 counts of Child Prostitution, two counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and one count each of Child Sex Trafficking, Custodial Interference, and Involving Minors in a Drug Offense.

“Today’s sentencing is the result of the work by investigators and our prosecutors to ensure a defendant who made a living by preying on these young victims is never able to do this again,” said Maricopa County Attorney Chief Deputy Rachel Mitchell. “Despite the difficulty of providing their experiences to a jury and the court, these victims ensured the justice served today was possible.”

Between March and September of 2015, the defendant convinced a 15-year-old victim to work as a prostitute for him requiring her to give him half of all the money she made preforming sex acts with men the defendant arranged for her to meet. During this same time the defendant was also having sex with the minor victim. During a visit out of state authorities found the victim, who had been given drugs by the defendant, and transported her back to Phoenix where she stayed at a group home. The victim was convinced by the defendant to leave the group home and come back to working as a prostitute for him. This time joining a 17-year-old girl the defendant was also trying to recruit to work as a prostitute.

Investigators looking to sex trafficking were able to start a conversation with the younger victim who had just turned 16-year-old. She eventually admitted to working for the defendant as a prostitute. When James was arrested and interviewed by investigators he told them he believed the 16-year-old victim was 18-years old and while he admitted to having sex with her he continually denied that he had any part in prostitution.