Michael Wayne Wade, 30, of Boise pleaded guilty Tuesday in United States District Court to sex trafficking of an underage girl.
According to the plea agreement, Idaho Department of Probation and Parole agents arrested Wade for a felony probation violation in July, 2014.
Police say Wade’s cell phone contained texts with a underage girl that included images of the minor -- one that was sexually explicit, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boise. The detective conducted searches on Backpage.com and discovered the images of the girl on Wade’s phone had been posted in an ad for “escort services” in Boise.
The postings were made using a Backpage.com account for a woman identified only by the initials, J.K.
J.K. was arrested by the Boise Police Department in December, 2014. She reportedly admitted she worked as a prostitute in Boise, and that Wade was the “boss” who “pimped her.” She admitted Wade asked her to use the minor for a two-girl “date,” -- which she refused, the release stated.
She admitted posting the girl as an escort on Backpage.com, using images Wade sent her.
She also admitted Wade spoke to her about taking the minor “under her wing,” assisting her in “escorting,” and ensuring that she was “working.”
J.K. told investigators she took the girl on at least two “dates” where she engaged in commercial sex acts. The woman admitted she received money from the girl in exchange for posting the ad and transporting her, the release said.
The girl admitted to investigators she participated in a prostitution enterprise with Wade and J.K.
She stated she sent images of herself to Wade for the purpose of being posted on Backpage.com as an escort. The girl said J.K. posted her images on Backpage.com, and drove her on at least two “calls” where she engaged in a commercial sex act when she was only sixteen years old.
Further investigation by the Boise Police Department and the FBI revealed recorded phone calls and text messages from Wade to J.K. and the girl. The text messages revealed Wade knew the girl was sixteen at the time, that he told her she would be a “star by the time I’m done with you,” encouraged her to “hustle all day,” and told her that J.K. would teach her “the tricks of the trade.” Wade also told the girl she had “mad potential,” could “turn tricks.” Wade then told J.K. the minor was “all open” and “down to work for the team.”
“This defendant callously victimized a minor, commercially exploiting her for the sexual gratification of others and for his personal profit,” said U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson.
Wade’s sentencing is set for November 10. Sex trafficking of children is punishable by not less than ten years imprisonment and up to life, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life.
