In April of last year, a federal jury convicted four men and one woman for their involvement in operating a drug and prostitution ring in Charlotte. Tracy Howard, 25, (left) and his brother David Howard, 26, (right) were convicted of conspiracy to commit coercion and enticement of women (including juveniles) to engage in prostitution. They were also charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine.The boy's mother, Ila Howard, 43, is accused of running an escort service and pleaded guilty before the trial.
Yesterday, the five were sentenced by a judge for their crimes. Tracy Howard and his brother David Howard were sentenced to life in prison. Their mother, Ila Howard (bottom) was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison for conspiracy, money laundering and drug conspiracy.The fourth member of the prostitution ring, Nicholas Ragin, 26, was sentenced to 30 years behind bars for his involvement in prostituting and beating the women and selling crack cocaine. Oscar Mario Solano-Sanchez was sentenced to 12 years for drug conspiracy.
Two of the women who were forced to work as prostitutes spoke before the judge sentenced Tracy Howard. "He destroyed my life," one of the women told the judge, "I'll never forget what he did to me." The other woman told Conrad that she believed Tracy Howard was not sorry for what he had done. She said, "If the maximum is life, give him life."
Before sentencing David Howard, U.S. Chief District Judge Bob Conrad called Howard's conduct "monstrous." He also said to Howard, "This is one of the most heinous criminal conspiracies the court has ever seen." Before sentencing Tracy Howard, Judge Conrad said, "he deliberately targeted drug-addicted runaways, who he marketed door-to-door for sex."
Ila Howard, stood before Conrad after her two sons had been sentenced and expressed remorse for her actions and those of her sons. "I'm sorry for the things I did," she said. "I regret every day that this happened. Howard said, "I'm sorry for the things my kids did. It haunts me. It hurts me. I am a mother. I love my children. I hurt for the young ladies put out there and the beatings by my kids."Today, four more people were sentenced for their involvement in the drug & prostitution ring. They are Eugene William Lewis, Keisha Burris, Eugene Hardesty and Elizabeth White. I will update this post as soon as I find out the sentences they received.
Check out Tara Servatius' article "Tracy's World" for an in-depth look at the Howard's.
Read Court Docs: Keisha Burris' Plea Agreement - Ragin Sentencing Memo
- Source: The Charlotte Observer