Arizona man found guilty of forcing 16-year-old into prostitution

PHOENIX — An Arizona man was found guilty Monday of forcing a 16-year-old girl into prostitution for six months.

Robert Hood, 30, was convicted of 11 felony counts, including child sex trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering and sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a press release from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Hood collected the victim’s prostitution money for his own benefit and recorded her in a sexually exploitative manner to maintain control over her, according to the release.

The victim was rescued from a hotel by the Phoenix Police Department’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit.

“Monday’s verdict ensures justice for the young victim in this case and removes a dangerous offender from our community,” Attorney General Mark Brnovich said in the release. “This type of crime against our most vulnerable can never be tolerated.”

Hood will be sentenced on Nov. 1 and faces a range of 30 to 171 years in prison for his crimes.

To report an instance of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to: BeFree (233733).

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