U.S. Department of Justice
Stephen J. Murphy United States Attorney
Eastern District of Michigan
Suite 2001 211 West Fort Street
Detroit, Michigan 48226-3277

Donald Wayne Flint, age 34, of Cleveland, Ohio, was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury in Detroit, Michigan on two counts of Sexual Trafficking of Children and Interstate Transportation of Minors for Prostitution, Acting United States Attorney Terrence Berg announced today. He was acquitted on one count of conspiracy and one count of Interstate Transportation for Prostitution.

The jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning the verdict, concluding a trial that began on August 19, 2008, with jury selection before United States District Judge Patrick J. Duggan.

"The sexual exploitation of minors is a horrific crime whenever it occurs, but especially when it involves forced prostitution -- as it did in this case," said Acting United States Attorney Terrence Berg. “Reducing human trafficking and punishing those who exploit children are key goals of my office and the guilty verdict evidences our unceasing effort to combat this dangerous criminal activity."

The evidence presented at trial established that in June, 2007, FLINT and co-defendant James Roney brought two victims, a 15-year-old girl and an adult woman from Cleveland, Ohio to Detroit for the purpose of making money through prostitution and striptease dancing, and for the purpose of having sex with them. While in Detroit, defendant FLINT instructed the victims that they would have to engage in commercial sexual acts for money, including sexual intercourse and oral sex.

FLINT faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison up to 30 years in prison on each count. The actual sentence imposed will depend on a number of factors, including the defendant’s criminal record (if any), and advisory Sentencing Guidelines. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Co-defendant James Roney pleaded guilty to the charges in October 2007 and will be sentenced August 26, 2008.

The investigation of this case has was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Michigan State Police and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. The case has been prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saima Mohsin and Matthew Roth, with the assistance of Paralegal Sherita Gentry.