TACOMA, WA – Today Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Tyler Elkins, 20, with promoting sexual abuse of a minor and child rape in the third degree for having sex with, then prostituting a 15-year-old girl.
"We vigorously prosecute these cases where vulnerable young girls are exploited, raped, and prostituted," said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.
In November 2012, the victim, was kidnapped by an acquaintance, "Hollywood," and an unknown man in California. She was escorted at gun point to a house where she was forced to have sex with several men. "Hollywood" threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.
"Hollywood" then forced the victim to walk the streets of Stockton Boulevard, seeking prostitution dates. He took numerous nude photos of the victim that were used on Redbook.com and Backpage.com to solicit prostitution dates. The victim would give the money she made off the dates to another prostitute who would then give a portion to "Hollywood."
On March 2, 2013 "Hollywood" arranged for the victim to begin prostituting in Tacoma, Washington. The day after arriving in Tacoma, "Hollywood" drove the victim to meet his friend, the defendant. The three drove to a local hotel where the victim was left with the defendant.
Inside a hotel room, the defendant threatened the victim, and forced her to have sex with him. The defendant arranged prostitution dates for the victim. He collected $600-$1,000 from men outside the hotel room door, then the victim was forced to have sex with them. This occurred three times.
On March 5, 2013 the defendant took the victim to a nearby fast food restaurant. While the defendant was in the restroom, the victim escaped. She then called the police.
The following day the defendant was arrested at his residence. He was arraigned today and plead not guilty. Bail was set at $75,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 22, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 315 at the County City Building in Tacoma.
Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
For more information, please contact Kelly Kelstrup at (253) 798-7792, [email protected].