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Prosecutors say Graham placed advertisements on the web site backpage.com. One ad read “Amazingly Sexy Sweet Petite Companion 20 working out of the airport area.” The acts took place in various hotels in the towns of Amherst and Cheektowaga and customers were charged between $100 and $200.
Prosecutors say Graham recruited, promoted and profited from the prostitution activities of two minor girls knowing that the girls were under the age of 18, as well as a woman in her 20s. They add of the victims were assaulted and threatened by the defendant. One victim testified that Graham told her "I'll kill you" and a second victim testified that Graham brandished a weapon at her.
Under cross examination, the defendant admitted to pushing one of the victims into a wall and over a piece of furniture.
"This is the first sex trafficking conviction at trial in the Western District of New York," said U.S. Attorney Hochul. "Based on charges recently filed by our Office, the problem of human trafficking appears to be growing but so too is our ability to investigate and prosecute these crimes. In the past year, we have filed charges against seven defendants who are accused of victimizing a total of 12 victims."