In September of 2020, a Fort Worth woman and her multiple accomplices were charged with child sex trafficking. According to reports, 33-year-old Kristen Diane Hamilton was arrested and charged with child sex trafficking, while her accomplice, 21-year-old Madison Mia Murphy was charged with conspiracy to engage in child sex trafficking. During the process of taking Murphy into custody, a 16-year-old girl was rescued.
The federal complaints made against Murphy and Hamilton have remained sealed, so details on the case are, as of now, slim. However, court documents indicate that there is another defendant in this case whose identity has not yet been made public. In addition to this, court documents also show that Murphy had previously been arrested and charged with compelling prostitution by force/threat, as well as trafficking a person under 18.
The federal judge will do their due diligence and decide whether or not these women deserve to be sentenced for their alleged actions. However, if it is true that they are guilty of what they have been accused of, they have clearly shown a pattern of behavior that is unacceptable. This type of crime can have severe, life-changing impacts on the victims, and in this area of the country, it continues to be a major, major issue.
Understanding Federal Charges in Fort Worth
Child trafficking continues to be a problem in the United States, and especially the DFW area. Last year, the Dallas-Fort Worth area had one of the highest counts of child trafficking victims in the entire nation. Undercover sting operations and investigators are frivolously trying to eliminate this problem and keep the children of our communities safe from predatory individuals, but traffickers continue to find ways to elude law enforcement.
There are countless studies that prove the long-lasting effects child sex trafficking can have on a young mind. So many victims who go through this traumatizing experience have trouble mentally and emotionally recovering from this period of their life, and many of them will require intensive psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment to re-integrate themselves into the real world.
This type of crime is typically prosecuted much more severely than a “typical” sex crime. Unlike sexual assault or even aggravated sexual assault, child sex trafficking can land you in federal jail. In a federal case, you’ll have to deal with much more than just a state prosecutor and investigator. You and your lawyer will be up against heavily funded and supported prosecuting teams that will do whatever it takes to place you in federal jail for years to come.
This is also one of the many reasons why it is important to be choosy when selecting a criminal defense attorney to handle your federal charges. If you choose the wrong lawyer, you may be in a world of trouble. Not every attorney is prepared to handle a federal case, and many of them are simply incapable of taking on a battle that is as large as one like this.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy | Fort Worth Federal Crimes Lawyer
As a criminal defense law firm, our team understands the negative impact that child trafficking can have on the youth of America. While we never want to see an innocent child experience irreversible trauma that can haunt them for the rest of their life, we also understand that false accusations and incorrect charges can take place. If you’re someone who is trying to fight your federal charges, we want you to know that we’re ready to take on your case. Richard C. McConathy has a proven track record of success, and our team has helped thousands of Texans with their criminal cases, whether it is a misdemeanor, felony, or federal charges.
Have you been accused of committing a federal crime and you don’t know what to do next? If you reside in Arlington, Keller, Fort Worth, or any other city in or surrounding Tarrant County, The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy can be of assistance. For decades, we have provided elite legal counsel to Texans who are in need of a criminal defense lawyer for federal charges. Don’t waste time; if you have been charged, you’ll need to find a lawyer immediately. Contact our team at (817) 422-5350 to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.