Memphis woman pleads guilty to sex trafficking charge for forcing teens into prostitution

A Memphis woman accused of sex trafficking a minor pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to sex traffic a minor and faces a possible maximum sentence of five years in prison when she returns for sentencing next year.

Shatanna James, 22, was charged in September 2020 in Pope County in connection with her role in aiding the sex trafficking of a teenager. Four more people have been charged in connection with the crime allegedly planned by a 24-year-old Little Rock woman. – year-old Alexus Harris. James appeared Thursday before Chief U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker to enter his plea.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Bryant, on September 8, 2020, Pope County sheriff’s office investigator Chris Ridenhour contacted the FBI Little Rock Field Office regarding a 17-year-old girl who told investigators she had traveled to Memphis with three other men earlier that month. She said the adult women, one of whom she identified as Harris, came for a “girls trip,” but when Harris arrived she said she and two other women were there to engage in prostitution.