Man gets life on sex trafficking convictions

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man has been sentenced to life in federal prison on a conviction of trafficking women and a minor for prostitution.

Prosecutors said 30-year-old Christian Womack of Chester and 24-year-old Rashidah Brice recruited the victims and posted photos of them scantily clad in online advertisements saying they were for sale.

Authorities said the two used threats and violence to ensure that the victims continued working for their Philadelphia prostitution business.

Prosecutors said the victims included a 16-year-old girl the pair met in an Atlantic City casino after she had been abandoned by friends.

Womack pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking by force as a jury was being selected for his trial. Brice also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years, five months.