United States First Circuit

In appeal by defendant Tavares and Jones for convictions and sentences for on charges related to transporting a minor across state lines to engage in prostitution and sex trafficking, judgments are affirmed, where: 1) the district court did not err in its inquiry of improper jury discussions during voir dire; 2) as to defendant Tavares, there was a) no error in admitting witness' testimony on beating, b) sufficient evidence of intent to transport minor, c) no error on the jury instructions regarding the minor's age, d) no errors in sentencing that were beyond harmless error, and e) the sentence was procedurally correct and substantively reasonable; and 3) as to defendant Jones, there was a) sufficient evidence to convict him of aiding and abetting the transportation of a minor, b) no error in admitting testimony of witness that he claims was coerced, and c) no procedural error or substantive unreasonableness as to his sentence.

Appellate Information

• Decided 01/15/2013
• Published 01/15/2013

Judges

• RIPPLE

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel