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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?
What happened
The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in Little Rock, Ark., for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking for their roles in using force, fraud and coercion to cause juvenile girls and adult women to engage in commercial sex acts. Handy and Cooney allegedly benefitted financially from the conspiracy, which took place from January 2002 to May 2008. Handy was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Response and intervention
The charges were filed as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If convicted, Handy and Cooney both face a maximum sentence of life in prison and fines of more than $1 million.