Six Floridians have been indicted based on crimes discovered during “Operation Abandoned Hope”, an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office into child prostitution allegations of sex trafficking of a minor. The crimes occurred between February 24, 2010 and March 31, 2010:
* Ian Sean Gordon (age 29, of Tallahassee) was indicted on May 13, 2010, and charged with sex trafficking of a minor. Among other things, the indictment charges that Gordon enticed the minor, who was forced to engage in commercial sex acts. If convicted as charged, Gordon faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years to a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
* Melvin Eugene Friedman (age 45, of Jacksonville, Florida) was indicted on July 28, 2010, and charged with sex trafficking of a minor, conspiracy to distribute more than five (5) grams of cocaine base, aiding and abetting in the possession of cocaine base, using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm after being convicted of felonies.Among other things, the indictment charges that Friedman enticed a minor while knowing that the minor would be forced to engage in commercial sex acts. Along with cocaine charges, if convicted as charged, Friedman faces minimum mandatory penalties of 20 years and a maximum penalty of two consecutive life sentences plus 70 years.
* Phillip Anthony Aiken (age 28, of Jacksonville) was indicted on July 28, 2010, and charged with sex trafficking of a minor. Among other things, the indictment charges that Aiken obtained a minor while knowing that the minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. If convicted as charged, Aiken faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
* Oris Alexander English (age 45, of Jacksonville) was indicted on July 28, 2010, and charged with sex trafficking of a minor. Among other things, the indictment charges that English obtained a minor while knowing that the minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. If convicted as charged, English faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
* Alfredo Martinez Riquene (age 42, of Jacksonville) was indicted on August 12, 2010, and charged with sex trafficking of a minor. Among other things, the indictment charges that Riquene obtained a minor while knowing that the minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. If convicted as charged, Riquene faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years to a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
* Antonio D. Ford (age 28, of Jacksonville) was indicted on July 28, 2010 and charged with misprision of a felony. Among other things, the indictment charges that Ford had knowledge of the sex trafficking of a minor and failed to notify federal authorities. If convicted as charged, Ford faces a maximum penalty of up to three years in federal prison.
