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Leon Blount III met the girl, identified as Jane Doe 2, while she was living at a Massachusetts group home for adolescents, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and is set for sentencing on April 24.
Blount has been in custody since September 2022 and was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023, the US Attorney’s Office said.
While at the group home, Blount gave Jane Doe 2 some alcohol and marijuana before “recruiting” her to travel from Mass to New York and Connecticut "to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit,” officials said.
He then posted the girl’s photo in online ads and brought the teen to hotels in Woburn and Hartford to “perform sex acts with buyers to earn more money.”
The prosecutor said Blount hounded the girl to keep working for his benefit, even when he wasn't there.
“While in New York, Blount directed Jane Doe 2 to solicit sex buyers in an area of Brooklyn that is known for commercial sex. Throughout this period, Blount stayed in close contact with Jane Doe 2, using text messages to ensure that she continued to perform sex acts when he was not physically present.”
Blount’s charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.
Those who may have been impacted by commercial sex trafficking are asked to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
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