Repeat offender living in Tacoma half-way house indicted for attempted sex trafficking of a minor

SEATTLE — A repeat offender who had just been released to a Tacoma half-way house from federal prison has been indicted by a grand jury for attempted sex trafficking of a juvenile and attempted enticement of a minor.

U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran announced the indictment against 45-year-old Prentice C. Hollingsworth on Thursday.

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If convicted, Hollingsworth faces a mandatory minimum ten years in prison. His arraignment is expected to be held next week.

Records show Hollingsworth was released to the federal half-way house in December. Less than a month later, officials say he began communicating online with an undercover Seattle Police Department officer who he thought was a 15-year-old girl.

According to the indictment, Hollingsworth attempted to recruit the officer to work for him as a prostitute. He discussed aspects of the prostitution business including the fee he would charge for his services as a pimp and the prices she would charge for sex acts, officials said.

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Officials said Hollingsworth told the undercover officer she could earn more money because of her age and encouraged her to leave school to devote more time in the sex trade.

In January, officials said Hollingsworth was arrested at the half-way house after he arranged for the undercover officer to check into a hotel room in Fife for prostitution.

Hollingsworth is already on lifetime federal supervised release because of prior sex offenses, officials said.

Officers with SPD continue to investigate the case and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Crisham.

Cox Media Group