Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Life Sentence for Palm Beach Predator for Human Trafficking of a Child

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a life sentence for Raul Brown, 45, of Wellington, on charges related to the human trafficking of a minor and the orchestration of commercial sex acts.

"This predator knowingly took advantage of a child who was in a vulnerable position," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "Thank you to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Joshua Dockus and Fatima Bachemin for getting this monster off the streets."

This investigation was led by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit and the Office of Statewide Prosecution. The investigation began in June 2021 with a referral from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Investigators discovered that the minor victim had moved to America from a foreign country when she was 16 and met the defendant shortly thereafter. Brown then convinced the victim to move into his home, work as a stripper, and engage in commercial sex acts. Brown then collected half of the money that victim earned.

Investigators also found that Brown had another woman living in his Wellington residence along with the minor victim. According to the evidence introduced at trial, Brown coordinated commercial sex work for that woman, collected half of her profits, and used that money to fund his own lifestyle.

Brown was convicted and sentenced on the following charges:

• Count 1: Human Trafficking of a Child
o Sentence: Life
• Count 2: Promoting the Sexual Performance of a Child
o Sentence: 15 years
• Count 3: Deriving Support from Proceeds of Prostitution
o Sentence: 10 years
• Count 4: Deriving Support from Proceeds of Prostitution
o Sentence: 10 years
• Count 5: Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
o Sentence: 5 years

Brown will serve his sentences concurrently in the Florida Department of Corrections.

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