Charles Cunigan, a Tennessee resident, has been sentenced to 270 months in prison for his involvement in a sex trafficking conspiracy. The sentencing took place on January 14, 2025, following charges of conspiring to commit sex trafficking under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1594(c).
Court documents revealed that Cunigan and his girlfriend Latesha Gardner forced a seventeen-year-old victim into commercial sex acts over three months in New Orleans. This was done to generate funds for Cunigan to purchase a vehicle. The defendants advertised the minor online and used physical abuse to ensure compliance. On one occasion, Cunigan pistol-whipped the victim and monitored her movements via phone geolocation data. He kept all earnings from these activities and imposed a daily financial quota on the victim's work.
U.S. District Court Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced Cunigan not only to imprisonment but also to a lifetime of supervised release. Additionally, he must pay $48,750 in restitution to the victim and register as a sex offender. A $100 mandatory special assessment fee was also imposed by the court.
Gardner received her sentence of 60 months' imprisonment in September 2024 for her part in the conspiracy.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. It involves collaboration between federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans alongside Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Homeland Security Investigations and Orlando's Metropolitan Bureau of Investigations conducted the investigation into this case. Prosecution efforts were led by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni along with Trial Attorney Melissa E. Bücher from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
For further information about Project Safe Childhood or internet safety education resources, individuals are encouraged to visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.