Authorities: ‘Violent pimp' convicted of sex trafficking

SEATTLE — A man from the Seattle area was convicted for sex trafficking of a minor and four other federal felonies on Wednesday.

Western District of Washington U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said 32-year-old Aubrey Taylor was convicted on all counts after the jury deliberated for less than three hours after an eight-day trial.

Authorities said Taylor trafficked both a juvenile and adults. During the trial, multiple victims testified about how Taylor used threats, violence, rape, and manipulation to force them into prostitution in cities in Washington, Idaho and Nevada and then give him the money they earned.

Case records and trial testimony said Taylor forced a 17-year-old girl into prostitution on a trip to Wenatchee in October 2014. Three other victims said Taylor controlled them with mental and physical abuse or promises of love and a better life.

Authorities said women were taken as far away as Las Vegas to sell sex and one was controlled by rationing doses of heroin to keep her working as a prostitute. Some victims were forced to get tattoos of Taylor’s name or nicknames on their bodies.

His victims were also subject to physical violent attacks by Taylor, which kept them fearful and under his control, documents said.

Taylor will be sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in May.

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