TACOMA, WA – Today Marteze Ravoine Clair, 28, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for prostituting underage girls. In July, he pleaded guilty to human trafficking in the second degree and three counts of promoting prostitution in the second degree. Clair worked as a pimp, posting prostitution ads on Backpage.com in an attempt to sell women and underage girls for sex.
“Street gangs are moving into pimping to supplement their drug sales,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “We are vigorously prosecuting these cases – particularly those involving underage girls. Eliminating human trafficking is one of the goals of our gang unit and our office.”
During a seven-month period, beginning in November 2013, Clair posted 226 prostitution ads on Backpage.com, promoting the services of multiple women and girls. Clair pocketed the money that the victims earned during each sexual encounter. The girls were given drugs and threatened with violence. According to law enforcement, Clair is a well-known East Side Piru gang member.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Songer
Communications and Public Information Coordinator
Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
253-798-6265
253-380-5856
[email protected]