Federal jury finds Seattle man guilty of sex trafficking

A federal court jury has convicted a Seattle man of five felony counts, including sex trafficking of a minor.

U.S. Attorney Brian Moran says after an eight-day trial, the jury found 32-year-old Aubrey Taylor guilty of forcing his victims to work as prostitutes and then give the money they earned to him.

Several victims testified that Taylor used threats, violence, sexual assault and manipulation to force them to engage in commercial sex acts in Washington state, Idaho and Nevada.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Crisham said in closing arguments that Taylor “sold his victims a dream of a bright future.but what they got instead was a nightmare.”

Taylor faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison when he’s sentenced on May 21.