A man named Robert Frenchie McGriff, aged 44, from Mesa, Arizona, has pleaded guilty to attempted transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
Based on court documents, McGriff started interacting with someone he thought was a young girl on Instagram between March 2019 and June 2019. McGriff informed the person that he was involved in illegal activities and tried to persuade her to join him in Arizona as part of his illicit business.
An account was created to give the impression that it belonged to a 17-year-old named Trish, but it turned out to be an undercover detective from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. An affidavit stated that the fake account claimed to display activities related to prostitution.
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In June 2019, McGriff made a trip by bus from Phoenix, Arizona, to Turlock, California, with the intention of bringing back a young girl from Turlock to work for him as a prostitute. McGriff was subsequently apprehended by the authorities.
McGriff’s sentencing date has been set for September 9, 2024, according to U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller as reported by Modesto Bee.
McGriff is looking at a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years behind bars, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a hefty $250,000 fine. The final decision, though, will be made by the court based on relevant legal factors and guidelines that consider various variables.
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