CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Editor's Note: This story discusses human trafficking for commercial sex. Reader discretion is advised.
A Charlotte man could spend the rest of his life in federal prison after being convicted of child sex trafficking Wednesday.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina said 33-year-old Tawaan Batten was found guilty of a handful of charges tied to the trafficking of a 15-year-old girl. He was convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking of a minor, and transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in commercial sexual activity.
“Batten took advantage of a vulnerable 15-year-old girl who turned to him out of desperation and exploited her in the worst way – for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King. “My Office will not allow our children to be traded as commodities and sold for sex. With the help of our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute human trafficking crimes, hold offenders accountable, and more importantly identify, rescue, and support victims.”
Prosecutors said Batten trafficked the teen in both North Carolina and South Carolina. He was at times helped by 33-year-old Kristi Heather King of Locust, North Carolina, who had already pleaded guilty for her role in the scheme and awaits sentencing. Batten posted advertisements of the victim on commercial sex websites, arranging for sexual encounters with customers and booking hotel rooms for the meetings to happen. Prosecutors also said Batten kept almost all of the money the victim got and used physical and psychological control tactics on her. This included branding the victim with tattoos.
“It is difficult to fathom that someone would sell a child for sex. But that is exactly what Batten did and now he faces a possible life sentence for his crimes," said Robert M. Dewitt, special agent in charge of the FBI in North Carolina. “The FBI works tirelessly to hold accountable those who carry out crimes against children, and we devote significant resources to help sex trafficking victims recover from the trauma they suffer.”
Batten remains in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set.
The U.S. Attorney's Office urges anyone who has information about a possible trafficking situation to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888. The NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. Tips can also be shared online or texted to 233733.
The NHTRC says to call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
Federal mugshots are not released to the public.