NEW JERSEY MAN SENTENCED TO 84 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR PROSTITUTING UNDERAGE GIRLS

MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and MARK MERSHON, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) announced that ANTONE WHITE, a/k/a “Benji,” 26, who was convicted of prostituting underage girls across states lines, was sentenced yesterday by the Honorable NAOMI REICE BUCHWALD, United States District Judge, to 84 months in prison.

According to the Indictment and other documents filed in Manhattan federal court, as well as statements made during WHITE’s guilty plea and sentencing proceedings:

From August 2006 to June 7, 2007, WHITE housed two underage girls in New Jersey and coerced them to travel to Manhattan to prostitute themselves. WHITE took the money the girls received during the night and physically abused them when they disobeyed his instructions. In about 2006, WHITE also prostituted a 13-year old girl in the Bronx, New York.

WHITE’s co-defendant, MARILENNY SANTOS, pleaded guilty on July 18, 2008 and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 25, 2008.

Mr. GARCIA praised the investigative work of the FBI. Mr. GARCIA also thanked the New York City Police Department for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney ANTONIA M. APPS is in charge of this prosecution.