
LAS VEGAS — Laron Darrell Carter was arrested in Las Vegas this morning for allegedly transporting a 16-year-old girl from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to engage in prostitution.
Carter, aka “Birdd,” 36, was apprehended by special agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations.
Although he had served time in Las Vegas, Carter received a very light sentence and was back on the streets.
After the unnamed girl was rescued in January 2013 an investigation was undertaken which ultimately resulted in Carter’s arrest.
The teenage girl first met Carter during a telephone conversation. He persuaded her to come to Los Angeles and said he would take care of her. Once she arrived she was taken to a motel and told she would be working as a prostitute. Suggestive photographs of her were taken and posted on the Internet.
The girl fled the motel but returned to Carter because she had no money and nowhere to stay. She says she was beaten upon her return,
On the last night that the teen worked for Carter she was severely beaten, sought refuge in a nail salon and was placed in protective custody by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies.
In August 2012 Carter was arrested in Las Vegas and charged with pandering, first degree kidnapping, pandering: furnishing transport -child, pandering a child with force, child abuse/neglect and battery with intent to commit a crime.
He was arrested prior to the implementation of a new bill signed into law that might have called for harsher sentencing. Nevada Assembly Bill 67 that became effective July 1, 2013 holds pimps accountable and protects victims of sex trafficking.
As is very common in the Las Vegas courts,even for very serious crimes, Carter was able to cut a deal. His trial was cancelled numerous times and his charges were amended.
According to court records, a motion was even granted for Carter’s release on house arrest or bail and then a bench warrant was issued for his arrest in December 2012 when Carter was unreachable and did not return calls.
More motions followed to squash the bench warrant and Carter was finally sentenced in January 2013. He received a prison sentence of 12 to 25 months with 86 days shaved off for time served. His attorney appeared in court only weeks ago and was granted credit for nearly 4 months of time served.
Carter was ultimately paroled in December 2013.
If convicted in Los Angeles, Laron Darrell Carter faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a statutory maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
Authorities believe that Carter may victimized others in Southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Anyone with information about this matter is urged to call HSI’s toll-free tip line at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or submit information target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>using HSI’s online tip form.