Two Norwalk men have been indicted on charges of interstate prostitution and sex trafficking of minors. A Bronx man was also named in the federal indictment, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut David B. Fein announced.
Theodore "PeeJaye" Briggs, 22, of Norwalk, Giovanni "Screech" Vazquez, 23, of Norwalk and Harry "Uncle Stacks" Franklin, 26, of the Bronx allegedly transported a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old across state lines between October and December 2010 with the intent that the minors would engage in prostitution. The indictment, which was handed up Thursday, also alleges that the men did the same with other victims.
The indictment was unsealed Tuesday following Franklin's arrest and initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport. He was detained pending a hearing scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10.
Briggs is in state custody on unrelated charges. Vazquez has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on Jan. 20.
The men are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport minors to engage in prostitution. Briggs and Vazquez face two counts of transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution; Franklin faces one count of transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution. If convicted on any of these counts, the defendants face a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
The indictment also charges Briggs with three counts and Vazquez and Franklin each with one count of transportation of a person to engage in prostitution. This charge carries a maximum term of 10 years on each count.
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